Wheaton College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL 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 Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College ($29,320 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 31% lower than at Bard College ($13,010 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $20,890 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at Bard College than at Wheaton College (about $20,890 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Bard College (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 97.4% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($55,235 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 10 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Bard College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Wheaton College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $3,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($232 vs. $270).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.