Bard College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Bard College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College ($29,320 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 5.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,852 vs. $19,866).
• Bard College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,038 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Bard College than at Lafayette College (about $1,038 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Lafayette College (74% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($55,235 vs. $44,707).

Bard College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 70 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Lafayette College 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; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Bard College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Lafayette College? 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $39,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.