Bard College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Bard College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Bard College ($23,570 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 1.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,852 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $2,250 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Penn than at Bard College (about $2,250 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at University of Pennsylvania (74% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($65,458 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 68% at Penn.

Bard College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $82,000 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,561 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($213 vs. $270).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.