Bennington College
- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,289 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $30,947 F
- 81% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 45% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,365,040.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Bennington College
Bennington College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 780
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, English & Literature, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Bennington College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 45% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1291–1403. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,947 a year after grants and scholarships — 81% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,289 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 81% nationally for mobility.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 780 students, Bennington College is a great fit for those who value a close-knit academic community. Students here dive deep into diverse fields like Visual and Performing Arts, English and Literature, Social Sciences, Computer Science and IT, and Biology and Biomedical studies. The acceptance rate is 45%, so while it’s competitive, there’s room for students who are passionate and ready to engage.
After graduation, Bennington alumni earn an average of $38,289 within ten years. That figure represents a solid starting point for many, especially considering the focus on creative and interdisciplinary learning that often leads to fulfilling careers. Affordability is also key; 25% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help make the cost of attendance more manageable.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid comes to about $30,947, and the median debt for graduates is $26,000. This means that while students may take on some debt, it's relatively manageable in relation to their earning potential. Those who tend to thrive at Bennington are often self-motivated, creative thinkers who appreciate the freedom to explore various academic paths.
Can I Get In?
How selective Bennington College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bennington College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bennington, Vermont, Bennington College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,364. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1364
- SAT Range
- 1291–1403
- ACT Range
- 30–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,055
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 2,801
- Admitted
- 1,269
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bennington College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bennington College is $66,262, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,947. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,480 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $66,262
- Out-of-State
- $66,262
- Avg Net Price
- $30,947
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,480
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,012
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,336
- Family Income $110K+
- $44,625
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bennington College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bennington College report median earnings of $38,289, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $24,711
- 8 Years
- $39,270
- 10 Years
- $38,289
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.68x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (117)
- 61%
- 100% (117)
- 61%
- 100% (117)
- 61%
- 100% (117)
- 61%
How Bennington Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bennington College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bennington College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,947/year ($123,788 total). Graduates earn $38,289 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,488,828 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,365,040 (12.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $123,788
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,488,828
- Net Return
- $1,365,040
- ROI Multiple
- 12.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,947
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bennington College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bennington College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.93%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.93%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $99,200
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,135,762
- Investment Income
- $-7,772,500
Top Programs
The fields Bennington College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Visual & Performing Arts 44%
- English & Literature 17%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Psychology 3%
- Communications 2%
- Education 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bennington College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bennington College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bennington, Vermont, Bennington College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,364. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bennington College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bennington College is $66,262, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,947. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,480 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Bennington College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bennington College report median earnings of $38,289, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Bennington College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bennington College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.93%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bennington College.
- Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinneapolis, MN · Close peer59% grad $40,873 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA · Close peer65% grad $41,198 earn 32% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Casa Loma College-Los AngelesSherman Oaks, CA · Close peer69% grad $49,854 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hallmark UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Close peer67% grad $40,183 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignMilwaukee, WI · Close peer65% grad $41,174 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kansas City Art InstituteKansas City, MO · Close peer62% grad $37,032 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
