Fitchburg State vs. Simon's Rock

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Simon's Rock based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Bard College at Simon's Rock is in Great Barrington, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College at Simon's Rock is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Bard College at Simon's Rock 6:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Simon's Rock Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Simon's Rock? 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 Fitchburg State University than Simon's Rock ($15,340 vs. $41,013).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 18% lower than at Bard College at Simon's Rock ($15,452 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College at Simon's Rock is 506.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $57,434 more per year; $68,780.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 294.7% higher at Simon's Rock than at Fitchburg State University (about $51,354 more per year; $68,780.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College at Simon's Rock than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College at Simon's Rock students is 269.5% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($42,635 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Simon's Rock Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Simon's Rock? 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 Simon's Rock and Fitchburg State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Simon's Rock - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simon's Rock Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simon's Rock students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Simon's Rock has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 53.6% at Simon's Rock.

Fitchburg State vs. Simon's Rock Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Simon's Rock? 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).

• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Simon's Rock graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College at Simon's Rock graduates have a $8,185 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($14,500 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Simon's Rock graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($149 vs. $234).
• More Simon's Rock graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.