Bard College vs. Clarkson

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

Bard College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bard College (52.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bard College. Average net price is $29,320 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Bard College 76% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bard College $41,600 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Bard College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Bard College more selective
Bard College52.1%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bard College higher
Bard College1270-1450
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Bard College $3,086 less
Bard College$29,320
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $7,038 less
Bard College$66,436
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $7,038 less
Bard College$66,436
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Bard College +4 pts
Bard College76%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$29,200
Bard College$41,600
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bard College 7,583
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Bard College 3,952
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bard College 52.1%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bard College 12.8%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bard College 1360
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bard College 30
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bard College -
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bard College -
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bard College Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bard College Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Bard College 1270-1450
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Bard College 28-32
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bard College Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bard College Jan 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Bard College $18,852
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Bard College $29,320
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Bard College $55,235
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bard College 74%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bard College 76%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bard College $41,600
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bard College 81%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bard College $26,194
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bard College $270
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bard College 9:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bard College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (32%)
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (23%)
    • English and Literature (14%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Bard College Town Fringe
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bard College 2,911
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Bard College Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bard College #184
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,911 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 3.2% lower than at Bard College ($18,252 vs. $18,852).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Bard College than at Clarkson University (about $7,038 more per year; $66,436 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($55,235 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bard College than at Clarkson (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bard College and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($270 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation (86% 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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