Brandeis University vs. Bard College

Should I go to Brandeis University or Bard College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brandeis University or Bard College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Brandeis University vs. Bard College comparison
Brandeis University Bard College College 3 College 4
Brandeis University Bard College
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Overview

Brandeis University Bard College
Location Waltham, MA Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 5,302 2,922
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #102 #180
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brandeis.edu bard.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brandeis University Bard College
Tuition (In State) $64,348 $62,790
Tuition (Out of State) $64,348 $62,790
Room & Board $19,096 $18,040
Avg Net Price $44,668 $25,218
Avg Grant Aid $37,489 $56,380
% Receiving Grant Aid 68% 77%

Admission

Brandeis University Bard College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,282 6,628
Admitted 3,984 3,466
Acceptance Rate 35.3% 52.3%
Enrolled % 21.7% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 31/34 30/32
SAT Range 1390/1530 1290/1440
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

Brandeis University Bard College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (32%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (23%)
  • English and Literature (14%)
  • General Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Brandeis University Bard College
Graduation Rate 91% 76%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,700 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,194
Median Loan Payment $279 $270

Diversity

Brandeis University Bard College
% Men 14% 6%
% Women 17% 10%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 47% 63%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 7% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 20% 10%
% Unknown Race 5% 11%

Students

Brandeis University Bard College
% In-State 24% 31%
% Out-of-State 57% 59%

Campus

Brandeis University Bard College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brandeis University is larger than than Bard College based on total student enrollment (5,302 students vs. 2,922 students)

Brandeis University vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Bard College?

  • Brandeis University is 2.5% more expensive to attend than Bard College for in-state tuition ($64,348.00 vs. $62,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.5% higher at Brandeis University than Bard College ($64,348.00 vs. $62,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bard College than Brandeis University ($25,218 vs. $44,668)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 5.9% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($18,040 vs. $19,096)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bard College than Brandeis University (77% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 50.4% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($56,380 vs. $37,489)

Brandeis University vs. Bard College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or Bard College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bard College or Brandeis University .

  • Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.3%) than Brandeis University (35.3%)

Brandeis University vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brandeis University or Bard College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bard College and Brandeis University.

  • The graduation rate at Brandeis University is higher than Bard College (91% vs. 76%)
  • Graduates from Brandeis University earn on average $25,100 more per year than Bard College graduates after ten years. ($66,700 vs. $41,600)
  • Bard College students graduate with a $806 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($26,194 vs. $27,000)
  • Bard College graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($270 vs. $279)
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/