Bard College

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
5.0 1 review

#25 Best Private Colleges in New York

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,911

Location Annandale-On-Hudson, New York
Website bard.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Town Fringe

Best Colleges Rank

#184

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

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 Vi�oly. 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.

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Ratings

Bard College is rated within the top 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

9 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

5 out of 10
Value

9 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Bard College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Very High

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1270/1450
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 28/32

Acceptance Rate

52.1%

Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 12.8%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Average

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$66,436

Costs for Bard College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$66,436
Books and Supplies		$950
Other Fees		$822
Room and Board		$18,852
Budget for Other Expenses		$2,000
Total One Year Cost		$89,060

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

76% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bard College are Liberal Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. 32% of students major in Liberal Arts and Humanities, 23% in Social Sciences, and 23% in Visual and Performing Arts.