Westmont College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA 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 Westmont College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Bard College 9:1.

Westmont College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College 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 Bard College than Westmont College ($29,320 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 10% lower than at Bard College ($16,960 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $12,852 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Bard College than at Westmont College (about $12,852 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 41.8% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($55,235 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westmont College 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 Westmont College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 10 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Westmont College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $1,071 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($25,123 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($259 vs. $270).
• More Westmont College 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.