Elms College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Our Lady of the Elms is located in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Bard College 9:1.

Elms College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Bard 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Bard College ($19,870 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 17.2% lower than at Bard College ($15,605 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 53.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $23,111 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at Bard College than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $23,111 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 63.4% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($55,235 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 120 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Elms College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Bard 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).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $1,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($258 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

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.