Bard College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Bard College
Perched above the Hudson, Bard has a reputation for seminar-style learning that prizes independent thought, strong writing, and cross-disciplinary work. Students dig into the arts, social sciences, and sciences with close faculty attention. Studios, performance spaces, labs, galleries, and a well used library share space with advising, health and counseling, tutoring, and a hands-on career office.
Campus life leans creative and community minded: concerts, exhibitions, student theater, film nights, outdoor trails, and river views that pull you outside between classes. And the atmosphere feels exploratory but grounded, with a culminating senior project many talk about for years. Internships and visiting professionals tie students to the Hudson Valley and New York City. Local towns offer cafes, galleries, and volunteer spots. Notable names linked to the college include Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects
Explore degree programs offered at Bard College with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in New York. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.
Arts (7)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
50.0702
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $60,800 | -$41,440 (-40.5%) |
27-1013 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $76,450 | $77,150 | +$700 (+0.9%) |
27-1019 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $79,490 | $73,310 | -$6,180 (-7.8%) |
50.0703
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
(PostBacCert, FPD)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
13-2022 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | N/A | N/A | N/A |
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $60,800 | -$41,440 (-40.5%) |
25-4011 | Archivists | $67,620 | $73,000 | +$5,380 (+8%) |
25-4012 | Curators | $70,060 | $53,360 | -$16,700 (-23.8%) |
25-4013 | Museum Technicians and Conservators | $53,630 | $51,050 | -$2,580 (-4.8%) |
50.0902
Music History, Literature, and Theory.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $60,800 | -$41,440 (-40.5%) |
50.0903
Music Performance, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $60,800 | -$41,440 (-40.5%) |
27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $109,490 | +$25,260 (+30%) |
27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Social Sciences (5)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
45.0101
Social Sciences, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $126,110 | -$23,780 (-15.9%) |
19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $106,440 | $102,590 | -$3,850 (-3.6%) |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $37,380 | -$26,180 (-41.2%) |
25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $92,950 | $55,640 | -$37,310 (-40.1%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $68,630 | -$5,070 (-6.9%) |
45.0601
Economics, General.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $126,110 | -$23,780 (-15.9%) |
19-3011 | Economists | $130,910 | $182,320 | +$51,410 (+39.3%) |
19-3022 | Survey Researchers | $73,470 | $87,220 | +$13,750 (+18.7%) |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $37,380 | -$26,180 (-41.2%) |
25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $133,140 | $93,380 | -$39,760 (-29.9%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $68,630 | -$5,070 (-6.9%) |
45.0603
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $126,110 | -$23,780 (-15.9%) |
15-2041 | Statisticians | $112,330 | $105,450 | -$6,880 (-6.1%) |
15-2051 | Data Scientists | $124,590 | $104,650 | -$19,940 (-16%) |
19-3011 | Economists | $130,910 | $182,320 | +$51,410 (+39.3%) |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $37,380 | -$26,180 (-41.2%) |
25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $133,140 | $93,380 | -$39,760 (-29.9%) |
45.9999
Social Sciences, Other.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $126,110 | -$23,780 (-15.9%) |
19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $106,440 | $102,590 | -$3,850 (-3.6%) |
25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $92,950 | $55,640 | -$37,310 (-40.1%) |
Liberal Arts (1)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
24.0101
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
(Cert<2y)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $94,470 | $50,970 | -$43,500 (-46%) |
Interdisciplinary (2)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
30.0101
Biological and Physical Sciences.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $161,070 | -$12,430 (-7.2%) |
25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $94,470 | $50,970 | -$43,500 (-46%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $68,630 | -$5,070 (-6.9%) |
30.9999
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
99-9999 | NO MATCH | N/A | N/A | N/A |
English (1)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
23.9999
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $90,400 | $63,890 | -$26,510 (-29.3%) |
Business (2)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
52.0201
Business Administration and Management, General.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-1011 | Chief Executives | $262,930 | $278,000 | +$15,070 (+5.7%) |
11-1021 | General and Operations Managers | $133,120 | $115,290 | -$17,830 (-13.4%) |
11-2022 | Sales Managers | $160,930 | $171,970 | +$11,040 (+6.9%) |
11-3012 | Administrative Services Managers | $126,030 | $113,770 | -$12,260 (-9.7%) |
11-3013 | Facilities Managers | $114,520 | $110,990 | -$3,530 (-3.1%) |
11-3051 | Industrial Production Managers | $129,180 | $126,940 | -$2,240 (-1.7%) |
11-3071 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $116,010 | $120,730 | +$4,720 (+4.1%) |
11-3111 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $156,230 | $148,180 | -$8,050 (-5.2%) |
11-3121 | Human Resources Managers | $160,480 | $153,570 | -$6,910 (-4.3%) |
11-3131 | Training and Development Managers | $140,590 | $144,940 | +$4,350 (+3.1%) |
11-9021 | Construction Managers | $119,660 | $159,330 | +$39,670 (+33.2%) |
11-9072 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $87,060 | $84,030 | -$3,030 (-3.5%) |
11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers | $86,100 | $80,770 | -$5,330 (-6.2%) |
11-9179 | Personal Service Managers, All Other | $70,620 | $84,770 | +$14,150 (+20%) |
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $126,110 | -$23,780 (-15.9%) |
13-1051 | Cost Estimators | $83,160 | $84,290 | +$1,130 (+1.4%) |
13-1071 | Human Resources Specialists | $79,730 | $74,810 | -$4,920 (-6.2%) |
13-1081 | Logisticians | $87,600 | $85,960 | -$1,640 (-1.9%) |
13-1082 | Project Management Specialists | $108,100 | $111,030 | +$2,930 (+2.7%) |
13-1111 | Management Analysts | $114,710 | $107,270 | -$7,440 (-6.5%) |
13-1141 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $82,920 | $74,100 | -$8,820 (-10.6%) |
13-1199 | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,380 | $73,880 | -$18,500 (-20%) |
25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840 | $73,380 | -$40,460 (-35.5%) |
52.0304
Accounting and Finance.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-3031 | Financial Managers | $180,470 | $157,050 | -$23,420 (-13%) |
13-2011 | Accountants and Auditors | $93,520 | $87,370 | -$6,150 (-6.6%) |
13-2022 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | N/A | N/A | N/A |
13-2031 | Budget Analysts | $93,920 | $76,860 | -$17,060 (-18.2%) |
13-2051 | Financial and Investment Analysts | $116,490 | $89,630 | -$26,860 (-23.1%) |
13-2054 | Financial Risk Specialists | $119,930 | $108,200 | -$11,730 (-9.8%) |
25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840 | $73,380 | -$40,460 (-35.5%) |
Education (2)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
13.1205
Secondary Education and Teaching.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,500 | $73,800 | -$4,700 (-6%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $68,630 | -$5,070 (-6.9%) |
13.1338
Environmental Education.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,500 | $73,800 | -$4,700 (-6%) |
25-2021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $69,790 | $72,040 | +$2,250 (+3.2%) |
25-2022 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $70,040 | $68,090 | -$1,950 (-2.8%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $68,630 | -$5,070 (-6.9%) |
Natural Resources (1)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
03.0104
Environmental Science.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in New York
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | New York Avg | NY vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
13-1041 | Compliance Officers | $84,980 | $71,950 | -$13,030 (-15.3%) |
19-2041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $88,640 | $79,360 | -$9,280 (-10.5%) |
19-4042 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $56,770 | $62,550 | +$5,780 (+10.2%) |
19-4071 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $59,240 | +$2,580 (+4.6%) |
25-1053 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,360 | $88,830 | -$11,530 (-11.5%) |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Bard College
How much does it cost to attend Bard College?
The annual tuition at Bard College is $63,612 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $84,852 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,040 (on) / $13,000 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Bard College offer?
Bard College offers 25 academic programs across 8 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (7 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (2 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (2 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Bard College?
Bard College has an 52.3% acceptance rate and a 11.6% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,628
- Students admitted: 3,466
- Students enrolled: 402
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Bard College?
Bard College provides financial aid to 19% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $56,380 and average loans of $7,145.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,100
- State/Local grants: $3,732
- Institutional grants: $54,213
- Federal loans: $6,150
The university supports 341 students with grants and 209 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Bard College graduates?
Bard College graduates earn a median salary of $31,072 after 6 years and $46,543 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $22,114 (25th percentile) to $74,224 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $77,000 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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