Westmont College vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westmont College is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (1,310 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Westmont College vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College 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 Westmont College than Bennington ($32,172 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 11.2% lower than at Bennington College ($16,960 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $12,678 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Bennington than at Westmont College (about $12,678 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College as at Bennington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($53,064 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is the same as at Bennington (1350).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Westmont College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Westmont College vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $877 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($25,123 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($259 vs. $268).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.