Bennington College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Bennington College
Bennington is known for student designed study plans guided by faculty, plus narrative evaluations that favor depth over letter grades. The academic mix leans into the arts, writing, and performance while staying rooted in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Facilities include light filled studios, performance spaces, labs, a well stocked library, a writing center, and maker friendly shops. Strong advising, wellness care, and career support round it out.
Campus culture feels curious, collaborative, and a little fearless. Students fill nights with open mics, readings, student run shows, and gallery openings. And the Vermont landscape invites hiking, skiing, and quiet thinking. Career prep grows through a winter field work term and close faculty and alumni ties, with chances to plug into local nonprofits, schools, farms, and arts groups. Notable alumni include Donna Tartt, Peter Dinklage, Helen Frankenthaler, and Bret Easton Ellis.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Bennington College offers 53 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 238 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (14 programs, 82 graduates), English (5 programs, 71 graduates), Languages (6 programs, 14 graduates), Social Sciences (3 programs, 14 graduates) and Public Services (2 programs, 10 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (14 programs, 82 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0101 |
| Theatre Arts | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Dance | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0301 |
| Film and Media Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Art History and Conservation | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Photography | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Costume Design | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0510 |
| Printmaking | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0710 |
| Ceramic Arts | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0711 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0905 |
| Sound Arts | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0917 |
English (5 programs, 71 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 40 |
|
Master's
|
23.9999 |
| Literature | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1401 |
| Creative Writing | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
| Writing | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1301 |
| English Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Languages (6 programs, 14 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linguistics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0102 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0302 |
| French Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| Foreign Languages and Linguistics | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.9999 |
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0103 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
Social Sciences (3 programs, 14 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Social Sciences | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Anthropology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Public Services (2 programs, 10 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0201 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0501 |
Natural Resources (2 programs, 7 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
| Environmental Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0104 |
Psychology (2 programs, 7 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2706 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 5 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Cultural Studies (3 programs, 4 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic and Cultural Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0299 |
| Asian Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0103 |
| African American Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0201 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 4 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Bennington College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
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 Bennington College
How much does it cost to attend Bennington College?
The annual tuition at Bennington College is $64,644 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $87,284 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,640 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 Bennington College offer?
Bennington College offers 53 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (14 programs)
- English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis (5 programs)
- Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies (6 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (3 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Bennington College?
Bennington College has an 48% acceptance rate and a 15.9% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,825
- Students admitted: 1,357
- Students enrolled: 216
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 Bennington College?
Bennington College provides financial aid to 28% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $47,860 and average loans of $6,503.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,346
- State/Local grants: $3,658
- Institutional grants: $46,418
- Federal loans: $5,052
The university supports 211 students with grants and 122 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 Bennington College graduates?
Bennington College graduates earn a median salary of $24,711 after 6 years and $38,289 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $19,841 (25th percentile) to $67,910 (75th 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.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.