Bard College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($29,320 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 3.2% lower than at Bard College ($18,240 vs. $18,852).
• Vassar College is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $4,594 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Vassar than at Bard College (about $4,594 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Vassar College (74% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 4% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($57,443 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 140 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Bard College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $10,414 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($15,780 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($163 vs. $270).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.