Princeton vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Bard College 9:1.

Princeton vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Bard College ($15,313 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 6.9% lower than at Princeton University ($18,852 vs. $20,250).
• Bard College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,748 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Bard College than at Princeton University (about $3,748 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Princeton University (74% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($68,727 vs. $55,235).

Princeton vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 190 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Princeton vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $72,300 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $18,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $193 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($77 vs. $270).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.