Middlebury College vs Bard College

Middlebury College and Bard College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Middlebury, nestled in the picturesque town of Middlebury, Vermont, boasts a lower acceptance rate (15.6%) compared to Bard's (40.5%) in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. While Middlebury students predominantly pursue majors in the social sciences, Bard's curriculum emphasizes the arts, with popular majors including film, music, and visual arts. Middlebury's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,500 compared to Bard's 1,900. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Middlebury's at 94% and Bard's at 89%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bard College	Middlebury College
Overview
Location	Annandale-On-Hudson, New York	Middlebury, Vermont
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	94.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.9%	13.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1380 - 1530
ACT range	N/A	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		31.0%
Students submitting ACT score		23.0%
Total number of applicants	5,167	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	3,096	1,601
Admitted students who chose to enroll	473	680
Yield rate	15.3%	42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,868	$78,820
Average net price	$24,318	$26,958
Tuition	$57,498	$59,330
Room & board	$16,760	Room/dormitory: $9,600 Meal plan: $7,450
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	79.0% Average amount $50,598	52.0% Average amount $49,988
Students receiving federal student loan	49.0% Average amount $5,101	25.0% Average amount $4,384
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $16,225	10.0% Average amount $7,858

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,171 Men 44.4% Women 55.6%	2,858 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Graduate students	420 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%	79 Men 8.9% Women 91.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	94.7%
International students	14.7%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	1,400	2,891
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York Mississippi California Connecticut Vermont

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Visual & Performing Arts Business Education Natural Resources and Conservation	Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies English Language and Literature Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	70.6%	91.2%
Dropout rate	9.9%	1.7%
Transferred out	18.3%	7.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,261 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature/Letters, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $19,624 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,818 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $17,518 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,944 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Music (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $27,353 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,051 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,712 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $98,106 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,169 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $68,272 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,074 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $62,953 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,380 Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $62,186 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,883 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $61,255 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,031 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $60,732 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,928 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,550 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,155 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $50,725 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,056 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,126 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,769 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $41,771

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Middlebury College and Bard College?

Middlebury College emphasizes a strong liberal arts curriculum with a focus on language learning and international studies. It's known for its immersive language programs and its graduate schools, particularly the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Bard College, on the other hand, is known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts. It encourages students to design their own concentrations and offers a strong emphasis on the arts, with programs in music, theater, and visual arts. Bard also has a strong social justice focus.
How do the campus environments and locations differ?

Middlebury College is located in a quintessential New England town, offering a classic college town experience with access to outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. The campus is beautiful and well-maintained. Bard College is situated in the Hudson Valley of New York, providing a more rural setting with a focus on arts and culture. It's closer to New York City, offering easier access to urban opportunities.
What is the student body like at each college?

Middlebury College attracts a diverse student body with a strong interest in international affairs, language, and outdoor recreation. Students are often academically driven and engaged in campus life. Bard College tends to attract students who are creative, independent thinkers, and interested in the arts, social justice, and unconventional academic approaches. The student body is known for its progressive and politically active nature.
How do the admissions processes compare?

Both Middlebury and Bard are highly selective institutions. Middlebury generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate than Bard. Both colleges consider a holistic review of applications, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Middlebury may place a slightly greater emphasis on standardized test scores, although both schools are increasingly test-optional. Bard is known for its unique application process, which may include an interview or portfolio review for certain programs.
What are the strengths of Middlebury College?

Middlebury excels in language learning, international studies, and providing a traditional liberal arts education. It has a strong alumni network, excellent career services, and a beautiful campus with abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. Its graduate programs are also highly regarded.
What are the strengths of Bard College?

Bard College is particularly strong in the arts, interdisciplinary studies, and fostering independent thinking. It offers a flexible curriculum, a strong focus on social justice, and a vibrant arts scene. Its location near New York City provides valuable cultural and professional opportunities.
How do the costs of attendance compare?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both Middlebury and Bard. Both colleges offer financial aid to eligible students. It's recommended to check the specific financial aid policies and net price calculators on each college's website to determine the estimated cost based on your family's financial situation.
Which college is better for students interested in the arts?

Bard College is generally considered the stronger choice for students primarily interested in the arts. It has a more extensive and integrated arts program, with a wider range of disciplines and a greater emphasis on artistic expression. While Middlebury offers arts programs, Bard's focus is more pronounced.
Which college is better for students interested in international affairs?

Middlebury College is the stronger choice for students interested in international affairs. Its renowned language programs, international studies programs, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies provide exceptional opportunities for students interested in global issues and careers.
How do the career services at each college compare?

Both Middlebury and Bard offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Middlebury's career services are often noted for their strong connections to international organizations and opportunities related to language and international studies. Bard's career services are well-suited for students interested in the arts, social justice, and non-profit sectors, with connections to organizations in the New York City area.

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