Bard College

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Bard College meets 86% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Bard College is around $57,693 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $28,738 of debt.

Bard College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Bard College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from New York as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other New York colleges

Tuition for International Students at Bard College

Tuition at Bard College is the same for all students.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Bard College:

•Bard College-specific scholarships

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Bard College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Bard College.

House and Food Costs at Bard College

Board costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Bard College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Bard College

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is sometimes costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. Bard Collegeis located in a rural area in New York.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Bard College

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Bard College.

Total Cost of Bard College

What will the cost of attending Bard College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Bard College Financial Aid

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The majority of Bard College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,455 of the 1,852 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Bard College meets 86% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $57,693 a year. Around 51% of Bard College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Bard College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,738 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,006
Private Loans	$40,984

Most Common Loans for Bard College Students
Federal Loans	51%
Private loans	10%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Bard College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Bard College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Bard College awarded 1,419 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $77.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.42 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Bard College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Bard College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Bard College was $57,693 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Bard College seem more manageable.

What will attending Bard College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Bard College's net cost calculator on their website.

Bard College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Bard College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Bard College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Bard College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Bard College's endowment was $141.7 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About Bard College

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