Bennington College
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Bennington College is a private nonprofit institution located in Bennington, Vermont with approximately 780 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 45% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $30,947 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $38,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Bennington College is a private liberal arts college in Bennington, Vermont, United States. Founded as a women’s college in 1932, it became co-educational in 1969. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 67% graduation rate is below average, and median earnings of $38,400 a decade out are modest for a school costing nearly $32,000 per year even after aid. That said, the low median debt at graduation ($19,250) and a highly individualized, self-directed curriculum make this a genuinely compelling option for students who are deeply self-motivated and pursuing creative or arts-adjacent paths where traditional salary metrics matter less. Worth considering if you thrive without structure — but think carefully if you need clear career outcomes or a strong job-placement track record.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 8% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (780 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Vermont
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT · Public
Vermont State University
Randolph, VT · Public
Community College of Vermont
Montpelier, VT · Public
Champlain College
Burlington, VT · Private nonprofit
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit
Norwich University
Northfield, VT · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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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