Bard College vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Providence College 11:1.

Bard College vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Providence? 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 Providence ($29,320 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 5.4% lower than at Bard College ($17,840 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $2,886 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Bard College than at Providence College (about $2,886 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Bard College (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 73.3% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($55,235 vs. $31,873).

Bard College vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 40 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Bard College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Providence (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Bard College vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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.