Bard College vs. Walnut Hill College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Walnut Hill College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 175 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Walnut Hill College is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Walnut Hill College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Walnut Hill College 20:1.

Bard College vs. Walnut Hill College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Walnut Hill College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Walnut Hill College than Bard College ($26,675 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Walnut Hill College are 35.8% lower than at Bard College ($12,100 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 125.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Walnut Hill College (about $36,937 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $29,499.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.2% higher at Bard College than at Walnut Hill College (about $36,937 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $29,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Walnut Hill College than at Bard College (81% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 462.1% larger than aid received by Walnut Hill College students ($55,235 vs. $9,827).

Bard College vs. Walnut Hill College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Walnut Hill College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Walnut Hill College and Bard College.

• Walnut Hill College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Walnut Hill College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Walnut Hill College (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 52.3% at Walnut Hill College.

Bard College vs. Walnut Hill College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Walnut Hill College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Walnut Hill College's (21%).
• Graduates from Bard College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Walnut Hill College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Walnut Hill College graduates have a $6,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Walnut Hill College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($201 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Walnut Hill College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.