Howard vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Bard 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 Bard College than Howard ($29,320 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 8.1% lower than at Bard College ($17,322 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 85.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $30,626 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.5% higher at Bard College than at Howard University (about $30,626 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Bard College (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 159.8% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($55,235 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Bard College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bard College and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 150 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Howard vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Bard College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 33%)

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.