MIT vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Bard College 9:1.

MIT vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Bard College ($20,996 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 7% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,852 vs. $20,280).
• Bard College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $4,040 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Bard College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $4,040 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($61,734 vs. $55,235).

MIT vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 190 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming MIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

MIT vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $100,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,878 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($17,316 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($179 vs. $270).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.