Skip to content

Bard College vs Hamilton College

Bard College is a private college in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. Hamilton College is a private college in Clinton, NY. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants and Bard College about 52%, making Hamilton College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $28,985 a year at Hamilton College after aid, and about $34,649 at Bard College. About 91% of students graduate at Hamilton College, compared with 70% at Bard College. Ten years after enrolling, Hamilton College alumni earn a median of about $78,411, against $46,543 for Bard College.

Bard College

Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Private

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Clinton, NY
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,414
2,030
Acceptance rate
52%
14%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.53–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1450
1450–1550
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$34,649
$28,985
Full cost / yr
$84,553
$84,230
In-state tuition
$66,436
$68,960
Out-of-state tuition
$66,436
$68,960
Application fee
$0
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$19,012
$8,028
$30k - $48k
$21,038
$9,489
$48k - $75k
$22,139
$10,863
$75k - $110k
$28,185
$20,614
Over $110k
$44,873
$46,907
Outcomes
Graduation rate
70%
91%
Freshman retention
85%
95%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$31,072
$60,082
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,543
$78,411
Median debt at graduation
$24,254
$17,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
18%
First-generation students
12%
13%
International students
14%
8%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 15
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 4

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bard College or Hamilton College harder to get into?
Hamilton College is harder to get into. It admits about 14% of applicants, compared with 52% at Bard College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bard College or Hamilton College?
Hamilton College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,985 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,649 at Bard College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bard College and Hamilton College?
Before aid, Hamilton College costs about $84,230 a year and Bard College about $84,553. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bard College or Hamilton College?
Hamilton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,028 there, against about $19,012 at Bard College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bard College or Hamilton College?
Bard College is the larger of the two, with about 2,414 undergraduates against 2,030 at Hamilton College.
Does Bard College or Hamilton College have a better graduation rate?
Hamilton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 91% against 70% at Bard College.
Do graduates of Bard College or Hamilton College earn more?
Hamilton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,411 ten years after enrolling, against about $46,543 for Bard College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bard College and Hamilton College require SAT or ACT scores?
Bard College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Hamilton College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Bard College and Hamilton College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1450 at Bard College and 1450–1550 at Hamilton College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school