Emerson vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Bard College 9:1.

Emerson vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Bard College than Emerson ($29,320 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 9.9% lower than at Emerson College ($18,852 vs. $20,920).
• Bard College is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $9,380 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Bard College than at Emerson College (about $9,380 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Bard College (77% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 104.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($55,235 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 10 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Emerson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Bard College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Emerson vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($242 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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.