Overview of Bard College
Bard College, established in 1860, is a private liberal arts college located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Known for its commitment to academic rigor, intellectual inquiry, and the arts, Bard College has earned a reputation as an institution that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a broad-based education. Here’s an overview of key aspects of Bard College:
- Liberal Arts Education: Bard College follows the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing a broad-based education that encourages students to explore a diverse range of disciplines. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and the arts.
- Undergraduate Programs: Bard College offers a range of undergraduate programs leading to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. The college is known for its flexible curriculum, allowing students to design their own course of study within certain academic guidelines. This flexibility enables students to pursue interdisciplinary interests and tailor their education to their individual goals.
- Divisional Structure: Bard’s undergraduate curriculum is organized into four divisions: Arts, Languages and Literature, Science, and Social Studies. Each division offers a variety of courses, and students are encouraged to explore subjects across divisions to gain a well-rounded education.
- International Initiatives: Bard College has a strong emphasis on global education and offers various international programs and initiatives. The Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program (BGIA) in New York City provides students with the opportunity to engage in internships, seminars, and research on global issues.
- Bard College at Simon’s Rock: As mentioned in a previous response, Bard College is affiliated with Bard College at Simon’s Rock, an early college for intellectually advanced students. Simon’s Rock allows students to begin college-level studies after the 10th or 11th grade of high school.
- Language and Thinking Program: Bard College has a unique Language and Thinking Program that is an integral part of the first-year experience. This program is designed to enhance students’ writing and communication skills, promoting intellectual inquiry and expression.
- Center for Civic Engagement: Bard College places a strong emphasis on civic engagement and social responsibility. The Center for Civic Engagement facilitates community service, internships, and projects that connect academic learning with real-world challenges. This commitment aligns with Bard’s broader mission to encourage students to become thoughtful and engaged global citizens.
- The Bard College Conservatory of Music: In addition to its liberal arts programs, Bard College is home to The Bard College Conservatory of Music. This conservatory offers undergraduate and graduate programs in music, providing students with a comprehensive education in performance, composition, and music history.
- Innovative Approach to Education: Bard College is known for its innovative approach to education. It has been a pioneer in programs like the Bard Prison Initiative, which provides higher education opportunities to incarcerated individuals. The college’s commitment to inclusivity and access to education is reflected in such initiatives.
- Beautiful Campus and Cultural Offerings: The Bard College campus is set on the Hudson River, offering picturesque views and a serene environment conducive to learning. The Richard Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is a notable cultural venue on campus that hosts performances and events.
Bard College is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and a liberal arts education that prepares students for a variety of careers and lifelong learning. The college’s emphasis on creativity, global perspectives, and community engagement contributes to its distinctive place in the landscape of higher education.
PO Box 5000 Annandale on Hudson, NY 12504
Phone: (845) 758-7472
Email: admission@bard.edu
Web site: http://www.bard.edu
Rankings: Bard College
Located in Hudson, NY, Bard College is one of the best universities in the state of New York. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Bard College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Bard College.
Bard College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Bard College was ranked #30 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #17 among Most Innovative Schools. The Washington Monthly also ranks Bard College highly, placing it at #1 in its 2019 National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. In addition, Forbes ranks Bard College #44 in its 2019 America’s Top Colleges list and #36 on its Best Value Schools list for 2019. Furthermore, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance includes Bard College in its 2018-2019 ranking of Best Values in Private Colleges list and names it one of the 100 Best Values in Private Universities for 2018-2019.
Bard College has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability by organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). AASHE awarded Bard a Gold rating on their Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), making them one of only four colleges to have achieved this rating. Additionally, The Princeton Review included Bard College on its Green Honor Roll list for 2020 and Bard is ranked one of the top 25 greenest schools by The Sierra Club’s Cool Schools Ranking List for 2020-2021. This recognition highlights Bard’s commitment to environmental responsibility through initiatives such as their solar array installation project that provides 10 percent of campus electricity needs with clean energy sources.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Overall Ranking: | 40 |
| Score: | 71 |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 3.4 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 77 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 86.5% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 76.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 87% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | -11 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 12 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 75.7% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 0.4% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 9:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 79.1% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 26 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1330-1430 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 63% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 95% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 25.2% |
| Financial resources rank: | 16 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 21 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 43.2% |
Essential Facts: Bard College
- The classrooms were generally engaging and professors often encouraged students to pursue their interests within a subject, and the courses themselves focused on intriguing subjects.
- Bard has access to multiple, distinct endowments. Bard, along with Central European University, is a founding member of the Open Society University Network, endowed with $1 billion.
- The college was in fact the first nation to offer a human rights degree. There are over 120 student clubs on offer at Bard College from sport and music to languages.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 75% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | 0% |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | 0% |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 80% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | Yes |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 60% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited, other |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA III |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | campus ministries, choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, jazz band, literary magazine, music ensembles, musical theater, opera, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student film society, symphony orchestra |