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    Bennington College

    bennington.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    Bennington College, situated in Bennington, Vermont, is a private liberal arts college known for its progressive educational approach and emphasis on individualized learning. The college's Plan Process allows students to design their own academic programs and engage deeply in interdisciplinary studies.

    There are currently 733 undergraduates at Bennington and the school’s acceptance rate is 45%. The tuition at Bennington is $61,448.

    Bennington College

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 733

    Pell Grant 22%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 6%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%

    Percent Male / Female 33% / 67%

    Ethnic Diversity at Bennington

    63% White

    16% International / Non-Citizen

    10% Hispanic

    5% Multiracial

    3% Black

    3% Unknown

    1% Asian / Pacific Islander

    1% American Indian / Alaska Native

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 69%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Visual & Performing Arts

    41%

    41% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Psychology

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Communications Technologies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Architecture

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Family & Consumer Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Agriculture & Agriculture Operations

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Education

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Legal Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $82,968

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $53,181

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $29,787

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $61,448
    Books & Supplies
    $1,000
    Room & Board
    $17,720
    Other
    $2,800

    Estimated Cost:

    $82,968

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Bennington is $82,968. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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 Bennington would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Bennington College Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Bennington College need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Bennington College is 003682.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at Bennington College

    25% of students at Bennington College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Bennington College.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Bennington students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Bennington College Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Bennington or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions Snapshot

    45%

    Admission Rate

    Is Bennington test-optional?

    Bennington College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    December
    1

    Early Action

    November
    15

    Early Decision I

    January
    15

    Early Decision II

    January
    15

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Bennington?

    Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Bennington during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Bennington students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.


    And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Bennington, remember that the deadline is December 1.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Bennington?

    Applying to Bennington with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Should I apply Early Action at Bennington?

    Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

    Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $38,289

    Median Debt $26,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $276

    Graduation Rate 69%

    What is the graduation rate at Bennington College?

    69% of students who start at Bennington College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 11% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Bennington College go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Bennington College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $38,289. This is $12,102 less than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Bennington take out in loans?

    Graduates of Bennington have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.

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