Bard College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Bard College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Bard College ($22,469 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 7.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,852 vs. $20,308).
• Bard College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $942 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Bard College than at Swarthmore College (about $942 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Swarthmore College (74% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($61,634 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 170 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Bard College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($201 vs. $270).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.