by our College Data Analytics TeamIs Bard worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
Bard is ranked #2,888 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within New York, it ranks #181 of 216 for value.
Among the majors Bard offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Other English Language & Literature/Letters | #9 of 9 |
| English Literature (Other) | #9 of 9 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | #30 of 35 |
| Biological & Physical Science | #30 of 35 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #30 of 35 |
| General Social Sciences | #76 of 79 |
| Political and Social Sciences | #77 of 81 |
| Music Performance | #195 of 221 |
| Fine Arts | #269 of 306 |
| Music | #321 of 362 |
Below is the detailed Bard value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Bard College is ranked #106 out of #236 in New York for quality and #181 out of #216 for New York value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the Bard financial aid page to be sure.
Bard College is ranked #2,888 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Bard College is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Bard costs about $54,112. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $216,449 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $84,555 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $34,649 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $54,112 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $216,449 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Bard net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Bard degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $338,220 | — | — |
| All Students | $216,449 | #2,888 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $138,596 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $338,220 | — | — |
| All Students | $216,449 | #181 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $138,596 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Bard shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $13,609 |
| $30K–$48K | $17,710 |
| $48K–$75K | $19,816 |
| $75K–$110K | $26,909 |
| Over $110K | $43,347 |
About 61% of Bard undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $55,642 per year. Get more details on the Bard financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Bard net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.