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Bard College at Simon's Rock

Great Barrington, MA·Private nonprofit·225 students
Last updated: April 1, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

96%
Accept
225
Students
$31,625
Net Price
68%
Grad Rate
$43,700
Earnings
10 yr
$24,254
Debt

About This School

Bard College at Simon's Rock is a private nonprofit institution located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts with approximately 225 undergraduate students enrolled. Bard College at Simon's Rock has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $31,625 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, and the typical graduate earns $43,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

This school is genuinely one-of-a-kind — it's designed specifically for intellectually serious students who are ready to leave high school early and jump into college-level seminars, and if that describes your kid, it's worth a serious look. The tiny community (just 225 students) and Great Barrington's quiet, rural setting create an environment where curious, self-directed learners tend to thrive in ways they wouldn't at a conventional campus. That said, the numbers deserve an honest conversation: the graduation rate sits at 68%, which means roughly one in three students doesn't finish, and median earnings a decade out are $43,700 — modest for a school costing over $31,000 per year after aid. The median debt load of $24,254 is manageable, but the earnings-to-cost ratio means this path makes the most sense for students who have a clear sense of purpose, not those still figuring things out. My practical advice: visit, talk to current students, and make sure your student is choosing this place because they're genuinely ready — not just because they're bored with high school.

Setting
Distant rural
Avg Faculty Salary
$8,318

Popular Programs

Psychology7%
Visual & Performing Arts5%
Engineering3%
Biological Sciences2%
Computer Science1%
Education1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$68,780
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,780
Avg Net Price
$31,625
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$27,480
$30–48k$41,839
$48–75k$30,051
$75–110k$24,820
$110k+$32,298

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants17%
Median debt at graduation$24,254

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
68%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$24,254
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$31,300
Female graduates$30,700

Gap: 2% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$24,254
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White37%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino6%
Asian6%
International33%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (225 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Bard College at Simon's Rock

84 Alford Road

Great Barrington, MA 01230-9702

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Massachusetts

Browse all Massachusetts schools →

See How Colleges Compare

Bard College at Simon's Rock is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Bard College at Simon's Rock?

Bard College at Simon's Rock has an acceptance rate of 96%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Bard College at Simon's Rock hard to get into?

Not especially. Bard College at Simon's Rock has an acceptance rate of 96%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does Bard College at Simon's Rock cost?

The average net price at Bard College at Simon's Rock is about $31,625 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Bard College at Simon's Rock?

Bard College at Simon's Rock has a graduation rate of 68%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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