Overview
Vassar College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, was one of the first women’s colleges in the United States before becoming coeducational. It is known for its strong arts programs and notable alumni, including Meryl Streep and Anthony Bourdain.
There are currently 2,430 undergraduates at Vassar and the school’s acceptance rate is 18%. The tuition at Vassar is $67,805.
Liberal Arts
Suburb
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$87,470
$49,288
$38,182
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$87,470The sticker price at Vassar is $87,470. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Vassar would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Vassar College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Vassar you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Vassar is 002895 and the CSS Profile Code is 2956.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Vassar
If you are a New York State resident considering Vassar, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more New York scholarshipsVassar College QuestBridge Scholarships
Vassar is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Vassar College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Vassar College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Vassar meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
Pell Grants at Vassar College
20% of students at Vassar College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Vassar. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Vassar College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Vassar, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.vassar.edu/admissions/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
Admissions
18%
33
1465
Coalition Colleges
Vassar is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Vassar via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Vassar have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Vassar College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Vassar's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Vassar Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Vassar test-optional?
Vassar College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at Vassar?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Is Vassar College need-blind?
Yes, Vassar College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
8:1
Graduation Rate
89%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
24%
24% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
15%
15% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
11%
11% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
6%
6% of graduates
Mathematics
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
English Language & Literature
5%
5% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Education
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,430
Pell Grant 21%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Percent Male / Female 38% / 62%
Ethnic Diversity at Vassar
55% White
12% Hispanic
12% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Multiracial
7% International / Non-Citizen
4% Black
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$71,366
Median Debt $18,625
Debt 10 years after graduation $197
Graduation Rate 89%
What is the graduation rate at Vassar College?
89% of students who start at Vassar College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 31% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Vassar College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Vassar College is $71,366. This is $20,975 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Vassar College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Vassar take out in loans?
Graduates of Vassar take out a median of $18,625 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Vassar College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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