Bard College vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Bard College vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Bard College ($19,814 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 4.1% lower than at Bard College ($18,080 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 614.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $57,133 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 198.4% higher at Bard College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $44,173 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Bard College (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 535% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($55,235 vs. $8,699).

Bard College vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 140 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Bard College vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $6,444 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($204 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.