Bard Acceptance Rate

Bard College, located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, is known for its rigorous liberal arts education and selective admissions process. For the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2028), Bard College reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 46.0%, reflecting a competitive yet accessible admissions landscape. This selectivity is influenced by factors such as a growing applicant pool, increased interest in small liberal arts colleges, and Bard’s unique academic offerings like the Language and Thinking Program. While Bard publishes some admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, specific breakdowns for certain categories may not always be publicly available, requiring reliance on historical trends for estimates.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 46.0% for the Class of 2028, with approximately 6,500 applicants and around 3,000 admitted students, consistent with recent years.
• Early Action/Decision Rate: Estimated at 50.0%, as Bard offers an Early Action option that tends to have a slightly higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision, though exact figures for this cycle are unavailable.
• International Student Rate: Data unavailable for the current cycle; historically, international admissions are more competitive, with an estimated rate of 40.0% based on prior trends and Bard’s global outreach.

Over the past few years, Bard College’s acceptance rate has shown a slight downward trend, indicating increasing competitiveness as more students seek personalized, interdisciplinary education. The Early Action option often attracts well-prepared applicants, potentially boosting acceptance chances for those who apply early. International student admissions remain a priority for Bard, though limited spots can make this pool more selective. Compared to peer liberal arts colleges like Vassar or Swarthmore, Bard’s selectivity is moderate, balancing accessibility with academic rigor. For the most accurate and updated statistics, prospective students are encouraged to visit Bard’s official admissions page at bard.edu/admission or refer to the Common Data Set for historical data.