Skip to content

Bard College vs Stony Brook University

Bard College is a private college in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. Stony Brook University is a public university in Stony Brook, NY. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants and Bard College about 52%, making Stony Brook University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,784 a year at Stony Brook University after aid, and about $34,649 at Bard College. About 77% of students graduate at Stony Brook University, compared with 70% at Bard College. Ten years after enrolling, Stony Brook University alumni earn a median of about $74,502, against $46,543 for Bard College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Bard College

Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Private

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Stony Brook, NY
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,414
18,101
Acceptance rate
52%
49%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1450
1330–1500
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
29–33
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$34,649
$18,784
Full cost / yr
$84,553
$30,539
In-state tuition
$66,436
$10,931
Out-of-state tuition
$66,436
$32,741
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$19,012
$12,943
$30k - $48k
$21,038
$15,432
$48k - $75k
$22,139
$20,728
$75k - $110k
$28,185
$23,424
Over $110k
$44,873
$27,716
Outcomes
Graduation rate
70%
77%
Freshman retention
85%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$31,072
$59,492
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,543
$74,502
Median debt at graduation
$24,254
$18,228
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
39%
First-generation students
12%
36%
International students
14%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

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 Stony Brook University harder to get into?
Stony Brook University is harder to get into. It admits about 49% 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 Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,784 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 Stony Brook University?
Before aid, Stony Brook University costs about $30,539 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 Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,943 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 Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University is the larger of the two, with about 18,101 undergraduates against 2,414 at Bard College.
Does Bard College or Stony Brook University have a better graduation rate?
Stony Brook University has the higher graduation rate, at about 77% against 70% at Bard College.
Do graduates of Bard College or Stony Brook University earn more?
Stony Brook University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $74,502 ten years after enrolling, against about $46,543 for Bard College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bard College and Stony Brook University require SAT or ACT scores?
Bard College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Stony Brook University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Bard College and Stony Brook University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1450 at Bard College and 1330–1500 at Stony Brook University. 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