Bard College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Union College? 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 Union College ($29,320 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 9.8% lower than at Bard College ($17,010 vs. $18,852).
• Union College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $2,603 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Union College than at Bard College (about $2,603 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Bard College (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Union College students ($55,235 vs. $42,534).

Bard College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 40 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Bard College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $32,600 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 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 Union College graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.