Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Private · 2,414 undergraduates · rural
Bard College
Moderately selective
Moderation is a formal mid-college review through which students move from exploratory Lower College work into concentrated Upper College study.
Institutional profile
Established Solid in academic standing, and solid in student experience.- Admission
- 52.3% admitted
- Price by income
- Varies across five income ranges
- Completion
- 72.1%
6,628 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$46,543 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Bard College apart
Academic design
Students begin with Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science before later completing Moderation to enter the Upper College. Every student ultimately completes a Senior Project, making self-directed advanced work a structural part of the degree.
Campus pattern
The Hudson Valley campus supports a highly arts- and ideas-oriented residential culture, while Bard's wider network connects students to programs beyond Annandale. The academic calendar begins early for new students because Language and Thinking takes place before the regular semester.
Defining feature
Moderation is a formal mid-college review through which students move from exploratory Lower College work into concentrated Upper College study.
Can I get in?
52.3% admitted
Start with academic preparation, then show why this particular academic and campus environment fits you.
Recent applicant pool
6,628About 52 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 13% submitted an SAT, and 9% submitted an ACT. Almost nobody admitted here sent a score, which leaves the SAT and ACT ranges standing on a handful of files.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Bard College, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Bard College weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Students begin with Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science before later completing Moderation to enter the Upper College. Every student ultimately completes a Senior Project, making self-directed advanced work a structural part of the degree.
Make the fit specific
Self-directed, intellectually adventurous students who like serious reading, writing, arts, and projects but also benefit from formal academic milestones.
Account for the tradeoff
Bard's culture rewards students comfortable creating their own intellectual direction; those wanting a tightly prescribed major path may prefer a more structured institution.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and make the school-specific case concrete.
Check eligibility for a fee waiver
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
Performing and visual artsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Bard College
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Moderation is a formal mid-college review through which students move from exploratory Lower College work into concentrated Upper College study.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Social Sciences, General
Fine and Studio Arts
Admits separately
Biological and Physical Sciences
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Music
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
Bard College beyond the classroom
The Hudson Valley campus supports a highly arts- and ideas-oriented residential culture, while Bard's wider network connects students to programs beyond Annandale. The academic calendar begins early for new students because Language and Thinking takes place before the regular semester.
A defining academic feature
Students begin with Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science before later completing Moderation to enter the Upper College. Every student ultimately completes a Senior Project, making self-directed advanced work a structural part of the degree.
What shapes an ordinary week
The Hudson Valley campus supports a highly arts- and ideas-oriented residential culture, while Bard's wider network connects students to programs beyond Annandale. The academic calendar begins early for new students because Language and Thinking takes place before the regular semester.
What changes the experience
Moderation is a formal mid-college review through which students move from exploratory Lower College work into concentrated Upper College study.