Bard College vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Bard College vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Whitman 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 Whitman College ($29,320 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 20% lower than at Bard College ($15,080 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $2,386 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Bard College than at Whitman College (about $2,386 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Bard College (94% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($55,235 vs. $40,489).

Bard College vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 40 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Whitman 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; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Bard College vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Whitman 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($180 vs. $270).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.