Bard College Admission Requirements
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- Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
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Bard College Admission Overview
Bard College admission requirements are competitive. Last year Bard College admitted 52.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1270-1450 / ACT 28-32. Bard College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bard College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Bard College Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for Bard College
Acceptance Rate
The Bard College acceptance rate is 52.1%. Last year, 3,952 of 7,583 applicants were admitted. That is the 29th lowest acceptance rate in New York.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Bard College and can you get accepted?
Bard College is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bard College GPA
Bard College considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.
Bard College SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1270-1450Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
13%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 620
- Composite 1270
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 750
- Math 700
- Composite 1450
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Bard College typically score around a 1360 SAT (middle 50% 1270–1450) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 93rd percentile nationally. Bard College ranks #20 in the state of New York and #133 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1270 to 1450
SAT policy
Bard College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1360 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bard College ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
28-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
9%25th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 23
- Composite 28
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 29
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Bard College typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 28–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bard College places #20 among colleges in New York and #142 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Bard College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
68% of Bard College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 34% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Bard College chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Bard College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 1, 2027Days left to Apply
123Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Bard College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Bard College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 52.1% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1270-1450); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Bard College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=189088.
GPA calculator: Bard College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026