Our Students

Students come from across the country and around the globe to study at Bard.
They undertake a broad range of academic programs in Annandale. While pursuing their degrees, they volunteer in the community, develop their career goals, and bring their talents to the campus and the region. They share a love of learning and the leadership to make their mark on the world.
Class of 2023
Photo: Karl Rabe

Class of 2023

Bard College’s Class of 2023 was selected from a large and competitive applicant pool, indicating their extraordinary promise. They are a high-achieving group, with wide-ranging interests and varied backgrounds. Our first-year students come to Annandale from 36 states and 30 countries, bringing with them their passion, creativity, and intellectual engagement.

Who Is the Class of 2023?

  • Incoming Students
    First-year students: 470
    Public high school: 53%
    Independent high school: 46%
    Homeschool (partial or complete): 1%
    Identifies as female: 60%
    Identifies as male: 40%
  • Geographic Distribution
    New England: 15%
    Mid-Atlantic: 38%*
    South/Southeast: 11%
    Southwest: 2%
    Midwest: 5%
    West: 15%
    International/dual: 24%
    *New York: 28%

    States: 36 + Puerto Rico
    Countries/Territories: 30
  • Ethnic Diversity
    African American/Black: 8%
    Asian/Pacific Islander: 13%
    Hispanic/Latino: 15%
    Multiracial: 8%
    Native American: 1%
    Unknown: 9%
    White/non-Hispanic: 53%

    *Race/ethnicity does not total 100% because students are able to select more than one race/ethnicity. 

Our Students

Matt Sprague

Matt Sprague

Bard senior Matt Sprague is studying food systems and inequality through the power of a sandwich.

Matt's Story >>

  • Cat and Ben's Story >>
    When Catherine Baum started looking at colleges, Bard was on her radar: her older brother, Ben, was already a Bard student.
  • Sara's Story >>
    Sara Xing Eisenberg grew up in Manhattan and attended the Bard High School Early College.
  • Abiba's Story >>
    Biology major Abiba Salahou talks about the importance of speaking up and getting involved on campus. 

Academic Snapshot: Time and Credits at Bard

The academic year is divided into two 15-week semesters.
Most classes are 4 semester hours of academic credit.
128 credits are required for the bachelor's degree.
The average semester course load is 16 credits.

Bard by the Numbers

  • College Facts

    Academic 

    1,242 classes
    Tutorials: 128
    Student/faculty ratio: 9.3:1

    Class size: 
    2–9 students: 39%
    10–19 students: 41%
    20–29 students: 18%
    30–39 students: 2%

    Faculty 
    Total: 297
    Identifies as female: 42%
    Identifies as male: 58%
    Faculty of color: 15%
    Full-time faculty with a terminal degree: 87%

    SAT/ACT
    Bard College has been test optional for over 40 years.
     
  • Tuition and Aid

    Financial Aid

    Total Bard aid awarded: $57.3 million
    (2019-2020)

    Average debt: $27,726
    (those who graduated in May 2018)

    — Class of 2023 —

    Received Bard institutional aid: 77%

    Average institutional aid: $47,511

    Average aid package total: $54,173
    (includes loans, work study, and grants)

    Aid by category:
    7% loans, 2% work study, and 91% grants

    Total Bard aid awarded to first-years: $17.6 million

    Pell Grant recipients: 28%

    Fees 
    Tuition: $55,566
    Room and board: $17,800*
    Health Service: $470
    Security deposit: $225
    Total first year: $73,761

    *The room-and-board cost for first-year students includes the August Language and Thinking and January Citizen Science programs.

  • Other Notable Stats
    Over 50% of Bard students study away

    Approx. 70% Bard students employed within 6 months of graduating

    Approx. 22% enrolled in graduate programs

    Approx. 8% volunteering or seeking education

    Graduate schools include: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, Dartmouth, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, London School of Economics, Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Juilliard

    75% students involved in a programs or projects in civic engagement, community service, Trustee Leader Scholars (TLS), or student club or activity

About Campus: Rachel Explores Ward Manor

Rachel is a Bard College student in the Psychology Program. She visits one of the landmarks of Bard's campus: Ward Manor, often called simply "Manor." The porch behind Manor is a prime spot to study, enjoy a meal from the Manor Cafe, or connect with friends. The porch boasts a view of the iconic Stargon sculpture (affectionately called "The Bunny Ears"), the Bard Farm, and the Catskill Mountains in the background.

Video Gallery

Why I Chose Bard

Why choose Bard College? The unique and rigorous curriculum, stunning campus, and close relationships with faculty are a few of the reasons our students decided to make Bard their home. Hear them talk about what drew them to the college in the beginning and the scholarly, creative community they've found on campus since.