Wellesley vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Bard College 9:1.

Wellesley vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Bard College ($22,174 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 10.3% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,852 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $740 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Wellesley than at Bard College (about $740 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Wellesley College (74% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 16.1% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($64,116 vs. $55,235).

Wellesley vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 150 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Wellesley vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $26,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,294 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $178 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($92 vs. $270).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.