Bennington Admission Requirements

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Bennington, VT
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Bennington Admission Overview

Bennington admission requirements are competitive. Last year Bennington admitted 44.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.51 GPA (A-) and SAT 1291-1403 / ACT 30-32. Bennington 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

Bennington is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bennington Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

44.5%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Bennington acceptance rate is 44.5%. Last year, 1,334 of 2,996 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Vermont.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bennington and can you get accepted?

Bennington 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.

Bennington College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.51. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bennington GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.51

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.51

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Bennington typically have around a 3.51 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Bennington is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #3 in Vermont for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Bennington College freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	5.36%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	28.57%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	22.32%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	16.07%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	17.86%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	8.93%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.9%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Bennington SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1291-1403

Freshmen who sent SAT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 703
Math 588
Composite 1291

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 653
Composite 1403

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Bennington typically score around a 1350 SAT (middle 50% 1291–1403) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 92nd percentile nationally. Bennington ranks #3 in the state of Vermont and #138 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1291 to 1403

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Bennington 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 1350 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.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Bennington College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1403+	Above 75th	>61%
1350 to 1403	Avg +	46%-61%
1291 to 1350	Avg -	30%-46%
Below 1291	Below mid-50	<30%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bennington ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 31
Math 23
Composite 30

75th Percentile Scores

English 33
Math 26
Composite 32

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Bennington typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bennington places #2 among colleges in Vermont and #118 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Bennington without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 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.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Bennington College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32+	Above 75th	>61%
31 to 32	Avg +	45%-61%
30 to 31	Avg -	30%-45%
Below 30	Below mid-50	<30%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

61% of Bennington College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bennington College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	39%
Top 25% of class	61%
Top 50% of class	85%

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 Bennington chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Bennington College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,854	1,125	2,996
Accepted	1,051	271	1,334
Acceptance Rate	57%	24%	45%
Enrolled	117	34	154
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	11%	13%	12%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bennington College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bennington College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bennington College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Bennington College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	No
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Bennington is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 44.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.51 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1291-1403); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025