Sewanee vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Sewanee vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee or Bennington? 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 Bennington College than Sewanee ($34,220 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 16.1% lower than at Bennington College ($16,028 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $10,142 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at Bennington than at The University of the South (about $10,142 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 42.8% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($53,064 vs. $37,171).

Sewanee vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 20 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Sewanee vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee and Bennington? 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($196 vs. $268).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.