Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
Bard College occupies a historic 1,000-acre campus along the Hudson River in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, approximately 90 miles north of New York City. The liberal arts institution, founded in 1860 as St. Stephen's College, features a mix of collegiate Gothic and contemporary architecture, including notable buildings designed by Frank Gehry and Rafael Viñoly. The college maintains a selective admission process and is recognized for its innovative curriculum, which includes the distinctive First-Year Seminar and Moderation process where students formally declare their academic focus. Bard's academic strengths include programs in the arts, literature, languages, and environmental studies, while the college's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts serves as a major cultural venue for the Hudson Valley region. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, with housing options ranging from historic stone houses to modern residences.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bard College is rated within the top 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bard College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#180 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#141 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#26 in Best Colleges in New York
#23 in Best Private Colleges in New York
#67 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Value Colleges in New York
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1290/1440 |
| ACT | 30/32 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $822 |
| Room and Board | $18,040 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $84,852 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 32% |
| Social Sciences | 23% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 23% |
| English and Literature | 14% |
| General Studies | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bard College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=189088 IPEDS survey data for Bard College.
Current students may use the Bard College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025