Bard College vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Bard College vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($29,320 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 15% lower than at Bard College ($16,028 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $10,316 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Bard College than at The University of the South (about $10,316 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Bard College (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 48.6% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($55,235 vs. $37,171).

Bard College vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 30 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Bard College vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $7,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($196 vs. $270).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.