Bard College vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Bard College vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Bard College ($19,847 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 17.5% lower than at Bard College ($15,560 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 648.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $57,562 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 253.7% higher at Bard College than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $47,652 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at State University of New York at Cortland (74% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 569.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($55,235 vs. $8,254).

Bard College vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 190 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Bard College vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $4,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($222 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 75%)

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.