Bennington College (Bennington)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Bennington, VT that costs an average of $31,507 a year after financial aid, admits 45% of applicants and graduates 70% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitTown (distant)780 undergraduates
Cost of Bennington
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $90,170 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $68,746 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,826 |
| Books and supplies | $2,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $31,507 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $22,350 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $24,783 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $24,125 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $30,079 |
| $110,001+ | $43,575 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Bennington's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 45% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,364 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 703–750 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 588–653 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 30–32 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 70% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 82% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $36,616 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $46,253 |
| Rank in Vermont (earnings) | 7th of 8 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $25,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $290 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 31% |
| Students with federal loans | 55% |
Majors and programs at Bennington
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (78)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 38 | $25,445 | $27,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 56 | $20,353 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | — | — | — |
| Anthropology | 4 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Architecture | 4 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 3 | — | — |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Biology | 9 | — | — |
| Botany/Plant Biology | — | — | — |
| Business/Managerial Economics | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | 2 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | — | — | — |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 14 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | 13 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | 1 | — | — |
| Dance | 21 | — | — |
| Data Science | 2 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | — | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | — | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| Education | 3 | — | — |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 3 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Environmental Design | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 15 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 5 | — | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 2 | — | — |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 2 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 1 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 7 | — | — |
| History | 4 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | — | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Journalism | 1 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Library Science and Administration | — | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 10 | — | — |
| Literature | 49 | — | $23,229 |
| Mathematics | 9 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Museology/Museum Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Music | 31 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 11 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | — | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 1 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 3 | — | — |
| Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Physics | 3 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 9 | — | — |
| Psychology | 12 | — | — |
| Psychology, Other | — | — | — |
| Public Health | — | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | 1 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 1 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 26 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 11 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 15 | — | — |
| Social Sciences, Other | — | — | — |
| Sociology | — | — | — |
| Statistics | 1 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 2 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | 97 | $59,545 | $38,698 |
| Dance | 3 | — | — |
| Music | 1 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | 3 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Vermont
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Michael's College | Colchester | $29,915 | 85% | $66,136 |
| Norwich University | Northfield | $26,676 | 74% | $78,407 |
| Middlebury College | Middlebury | $32,102 | 11% | $85,077 |
| Champlain College | Burlington | $39,617 | 83% | $60,573 |
| Vermont State University | Randolph | $22,358 | 82% | $54,163 |
| University of Vermont | Burlington | $20,277 | 65% | $68,368 |
| Sterling College | Craftsbury Common | $31,387 | 67% | $38,978 |
About Bennington
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Bennington, VT |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 780 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 9 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | bennington.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Bennington's acceptance rate?
Bennington College admits 45% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students average 1,364 on the SAT.
How much does Bennington cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $90,170 a year (tuition and fees: $68,746). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $31,507 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $22,350.
How much do Bennington graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $46,253 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 7th of 8 similar colleges in Vermont. The best-paid bachelor's program is drama/theatre arts and stagecraft ($25,445 a year after graduation).
What is Bennington's graduation rate?
70% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 82% of first-year students return for a second year.