Willamette University vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare Willamette University in Salem, OR with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Willamette University is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (2,180 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Willamette University is located in Salem, OR (Midsize City setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Willamette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Willamette University 13:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Willamette University vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Willamette 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 Willamette University than Bennington ($29,421 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Willamette University are 15.5% lower than at Bennington College ($16,150 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Willamette University (about $15,106 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $51,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.5% higher at Bennington than at Willamette University (about $15,106 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $51,156.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Willamette University as at Bennington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Willamette University students ($53,064 vs. $38,080).

Willamette University vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 10 points higher than at Willamette University (1340).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Willamette University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Willamette University 1240/1440; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Willamette University 28/33; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Willamette University - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Willamette University Jan 15, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Willamette University students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Willamette University has a higher acceptance rate (77.1%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Willamette University vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Willamette University vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Willamette 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).

• Willamette University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Willamette University earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bennington College and Willamette University graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bennington College and Willamette University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.