Amherst vs. Bard College

Amherst College and Bard College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Bard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 52.1%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1360.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $29,320 at Bard College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Bard College 76%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Bard College $41,600 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Bard College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Bard College52.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Bard College1270-1450
Average net price
Amherst $10,271 less
Amherst$19,049
Bard College$29,320
In-state tuition
Bard College $4,044 less
Amherst$70,480
Bard College$66,436
Out-of-state tuition
Bard College $4,044 less
Amherst$70,480
Bard College$66,436
Graduation rate
Amherst +20 pts
Amherst96%
Bard College76%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$40,400
Amherst$82,000
Bard College$41,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Bard College 7,583
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Bard College 3,952
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Bard College 52.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Bard College 12.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Bard College 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Bard College 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Bard College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Bard College -
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Bard College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Bard College Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Bard College 1270-1450
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Bard College 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Bard College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Bard College Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Bard College $18,852
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Bard College $29,320
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Bard College $55,235
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Bard College 74%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Bard College 76%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Bard College $41,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Bard College 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Bard College $26,194
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Bard College $270
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Bard College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Bard College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (32%)
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (23%)
    • English and Literature (14%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Bard College Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Bard College 2,911
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Bard College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Bard College #184

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bard College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2.5% lower than at Bard College ($18,390 vs. $18,852).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Amherst than at Bard College (about $4,044 more per year; $70,480 vs. $66,436).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Amherst College (74% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($68,591 vs. $55,235).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at Bard College (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Bard College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,219 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,194).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($134 vs. $270).
  • More Amherst 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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