Wesleyan University vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wesleyan University is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (4,011 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Bennington ($23,025 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bennington College are 3.8% lower than at Wesleyan University ($19,108 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bennington (about $4,080 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $66,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Wesleyan University than at Bennington College (about $4,080 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $66,262.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at Wesleyan University (100% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Bennington College students ($65,995 vs. $53,064).

Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 130 points higher than at Bennington (1350).
• Incoming Wesleyan University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bennington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Bennington has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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).

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Wesleyan University earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($180 vs. $268).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.