Williams vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Bard College 9:1.

Williams vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams 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 Williams College than Bard College ($15,894 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 8.4% lower than at Bard College ($17,260 vs. $18,852).
• Williams College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $2,124 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Williams than at Bard College (about $2,124 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Williams College (74% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($68,966 vs. $55,235).

Williams vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams 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 Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 170 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Williams students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Williams vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,612 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($150 vs. $270).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.