Bard College vs. Kenyon

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Kenyon College in Gambier, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Kenyon College is in Gambier, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kenyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Kenyon College 9:1.

Bard College vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Kenyon? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bard College than Kenyon ($29,320 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kenyon College are 17% lower than at Bard College ($15,640 vs. $18,852).
• Kenyon College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $5,084 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Kenyon than at Bard College (about $5,084 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kenyon College than at Bard College (82% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 35.6% larger than aid received by Kenyon College students ($55,235 vs. $40,731).

Bard College vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Kenyon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kenyon and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kenyon College (1430) is 70 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Kenyon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Kenyon (31%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

Bard College vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Kenyon? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Kenyon College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Kenyon College earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $7,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($196 vs. $270).
• More Kenyon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.