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Bennington College vs Vermont State University

Bennington College is a private college in Bennington, VT. Vermont State University is a public university in Randolph, VT. Bennington College admits about 45% of applicants and Vermont State University about 82%, making Bennington College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,212 a year at Vermont State University after aid, and about $30,947 at Bennington College. About 69% of students graduate at Bennington College, compared with 48% at Vermont State University. Ten years after enrolling, Vermont State University alumni earn a median of about $50,331, against $38,289 for Bennington College.

Bennington College

Bennington, VT · Private

Vermont State University

Randolph, VT · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Bennington, VT
Randolph, VT
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
780
3,590
Acceptance rate
45%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.33–3.83
SAT (middle 50%)
1291–1403
1000–1199
ACT (middle 50%)
30–32
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$30,947
$18,212
Full cost / yr
$87,284
$25,988
In-state tuition
$66,262
$11,952
Out-of-state tuition
$66,262
$22,296
Application fee
$0
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$18,480
$14,645
$30k - $48k
$18,012
$12,998
$48k - $75k
$22,336
$16,279
$75k - $110k
$25,508
$20,668
Over $110k
$44,625
$24,007
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
48%
Freshman retention
82%
68%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$24,711
$41,340
Median earnings (10 yr)
$38,289
$50,331
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$15,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
34%
First-generation students
13%
38%
International students
12%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 10
Rolling

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 Bennington College or Vermont State University harder to get into?
Bennington College is harder to get into. It admits about 45% of applicants, compared with 82% at Vermont State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bennington College or Vermont State University?
Vermont State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,212 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,947 at Bennington 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 Bennington College and Vermont State University?
Before aid, Vermont State University costs about $25,988 a year and Bennington College about $87,284. 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, Bennington College or Vermont State University?
Vermont State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $14,645 there, against about $18,480 at Bennington College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bennington College or Vermont State University?
Vermont State University is the larger of the two, with about 3,590 undergraduates against 780 at Bennington College.
Does Bennington College or Vermont State University have a better graduation rate?
Bennington College has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 48% at Vermont State University.
Do graduates of Bennington College or Vermont State University earn more?
Vermont State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $50,331 ten years after enrolling, against about $38,289 for Bennington College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bennington College and Vermont State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Bennington College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Vermont State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Bennington College and Vermont State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1291–1403 at Bennington College and 1000–1199 at Vermont State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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