Bennington CollegeBennington College
Bennington, VT · Northeast
- Acceptance rate
- 44.5%
- SAT mid-50
- 1291-1403
- Cost after aid
- $30,947
- Graduation rate
- 71%
What Bennington College says matters
How Bennington College rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.
- Acceptance rate
- 45%
- 1,334 of 2,996
- Yield
- 12%
- 154 enrolled
- SAT mid-50
- 1308-1375
- ACT mid-50
- 30-32
- CDS year
- 2024-25
Very important
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character or personal qualities
- First generation
- Alumni relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation or commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- Level of applicant's interest
The full Common Data Set
Every figure Bennington College published for 2024-25, section by section.
First-Time, First-Year Admission109
Applications
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
- 33
- Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
- 1
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
- 117
- Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
- 0
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled
- 0
- Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled
- 0
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
- 3
- Total part-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
- 0
- Total first-time, first-year students who applied
- 2,996
- Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
- 1,334
- Total first-time, first-year who applied
- 42
- Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
- 34
- Total first-time, first-year who applied
- 1,521
- Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
- 1,188
- Total first-time, first-year who applied
- 1,433
- Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
- 112
- Total first-time, first-year who applied
- 0
- Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
- 0
Wait List
- Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:
- 80
- Number accepting a place on the waiting list:
- 73
- Number of wait-listed students admitted:
- 20
Admissions Requirements
- Total academic units
- 4.00
- Mathematics
- 4.00
- Science
- 4.00
- Of these, units that must be lab
- 3.00
- Foreign language
- 3.00
- Social studies
- 3.00
Basis for Selection
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Very Important
- Class rank
- Very Important
- Academic GPA
- Very Important
- Standardized test scores
- Very Important
- Application Essay
- Very Important
- Recommendation(s)
- Very Important
- Extracurricular activities
- Very Important
- Talent/ability
- Very Important
- Character/personal qualities
- Very Important
- First generation
- Very Important
- Alumni/ae relation
- Very Important
- Geographical residence
- Very Important
- State residency
- Very Important
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Very Important
- Volunteer work
- Very Important
- Work experience
- Very Important
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Not Considered
First-time, first-year Profile
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 0.104
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 0.039
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 16
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 6
- SAT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 1,308
- SAT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 1,335
- SAT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 1,375
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile
- 703
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile
- 725
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile
- 750
- SAT Math: 25th Percentile
- 588
- SAT Math: 50th Percentile
- 610
- SAT Math: 75th Percentile
- 653
- ACT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 30%
- ACT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 32%
- ACT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 32%
- ACT Math: 25th Percentile
- 23%
- ACT Math: 50th Percentile
- 24%
- ACT Math: 75th Percentile
- 26%
- ACT English: 25th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT English: 50th Percentile
- 34%
- ACT English: 75th Percentile
- 35%
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800
- 75
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699
- 25
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 400-499
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 300-399
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-299
- 0
- SAT Math: 700-800
- 12.5
- SAT Math: 600-699
- 50
- SAT Math: 500-599
- 37.5
- SAT Math: 400-499
- 0
- SAT Math: 300-399
- 0
- SAT Math: 200-299
- 0
- SAT Composite: 1400-1600
- 25
- SAT Composite: 1200-1399
- 69
- SAT Composite: 1000-1199
- 6
- SAT Composite: 800-999
- 0
- SAT Composite: 600-799
- 0
- SAT Composite: 400-599
- 0
- ACT Composite: 30-36
- 67
- ACT Composite: 24-29
- 33
- ACT Composite: 18-23
- 0
- ACT Composite: 12-17
- 0
- ACT Composite: 6-11
- 0
- ACT Composite: Below 6
- 0
- Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class
- 31%
- Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class
- 57%
- Percent in top half of high school graduating class
- 83%
- Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class
- 17%
- Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class
- 7.0%
- Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:
- 27%
- Total
- 0
- Total
- 0
- Percent who had GPA of 4.0
- 1.3%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
- 33%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
- 34%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
- 11%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
- 9.3%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
- 7.9%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49
- 2.6%
- Percent who had GPA between 1.0 and 1.99
- 1.3%
- Percent who had GPA below 1.0
- 0
- Total
- 100
Admission Policies
- If yes, maximum period of postponement:
- -
Student Life25
Percent Participating
- Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
- 94%
- Percent of men who join fraternities
- 0
- Percent of women who join sororities
- 0
- Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
- 99%
- Percent who live off campus or commute
- 100%
- Percent of students age 25 and older
- 100%
- Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
- 95%
- Percent of men who join fraternities
- 0
- Percent of women who join sororities
- 0
- Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
- 98%
- Percent who live off campus or commute
- 2.0%
- Percent of students age 25 and older
- 3.0%
Average Age
- Average age of full-time students
- 18
- Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
- 18
- Average age of full-time students
- 20
- Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
- 21
Activities Offered
- Choral groups
- X
- Dance
- X
- Drama/theater
- X
- Jazz band
- X
- Literary magazine
- X
- Music ensembles
- X
- Musical theater
- X
- Radio station
- X
- Student-run film society
- X
Annual Expenses11
Information
- Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:
- https://www.bennington.edu/admissions/apply/financing-your-education/tuition-and-fees/net-price-calculator
Private Tuition
- Tuition
- 67850.00
- Tuition
- 67850.00
All Institutions Expenses
- Required Fees:
- 1471.00
- Food and housing (on-campus):
- 19826.00
- Housing Only (on-campus):
- 10764.00
- Food Only (on-campus meal plan):
- 9062.00
- Required Fees:
- 896.00
- Food and housing (on-campus):
- 19826.00
- Housing Only (on-campus):
- 10764.00
- Food Only (on-campus meal plan):
- 9062.00
Financial Aid55
Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 266
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 43,380
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 0
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 0
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 1
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 6,250
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 0
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 0
Methodology
- Both FM and IM
- 1297486.00
Need-based Aid Awarded
- Federal
- 79601.00
- State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located
- 22171063.00
- Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).
- 372499.00
- Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college
- 23920649.00
- Total Scholarships/Grants
- 2195437.00
- Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)
- 587597.00
- Federal Work-Study
- 2945.00
- State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.)
- 2785979.00
- Total Self-Help
- 255913.00
- Parent Loans
- 362976.00
- Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.
- 0.00
- Athletic Awards
- 0.00
Non-need-based Aid Awarded
- Federal
- 0.00
- State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located
- 12275820.00
- Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).
- 895267.00
- Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college
- 13171087.00
- Total Scholarships/Grants
- 922066.00
- Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)
- 209805.00
- State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.)
- 1131871.00
- Total Self-Help
- 912789.00
- Parent Loans
- 365208.00
- Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.
- 0.00
Students Awarded Aid
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 727
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 507
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 452
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 452
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 452
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 370
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 61
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 68
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 88%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 57907
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 53616
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 5264
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 38
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 17
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 17
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 13
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 13
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 0
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 0
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 0
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 29%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 3058
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 3058
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 0
Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred3
Diploma/Certificates
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 100%
Associate
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 0
Bachelors
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 100%
Enrollment And Persistence96
Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category
- Nonresidents
- 10
- Hispanic/Latino
- 12
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 4
- White, non-Hispanic
- 109
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 1
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 4
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 0
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 9
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 5
- TOTAL
- 154
- Nonresidents
- 92
- Hispanic/Latino
- 70
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 32
- White, non-Hispanic
- 503
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 2
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 18
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 0
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 47
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 16
- TOTAL
- 780
- Nonresidents
- 95
- Hispanic/Latino
- 71
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 33
- White, non-Hispanic
- 509
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 3
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 18
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 0
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 47
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 21
- TOTAL
- 797
Persistence
- Master's degrees
- 41
Graduation Rates
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 49
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 63
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 86
- Total
- 198
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 0
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 0
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 0
- Total
- 0
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 49
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 63
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 86
- Total
- 198
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 2,024
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 25
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 56
- Total
- 120
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 5
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 6
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 8
- Total
- 2,023
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 1
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 1
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 0
- Total
- 2,024
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 31
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 46
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 64
- Total
- 141
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 2,024
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 25
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 74.42
- Total
- 71.21
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 52
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 59
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 108
- Total
- 219
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 0
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 0
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 0
- Total
- 0
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 52
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 59
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 108
- Total
- 219
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 24
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 26
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 62
- Total
- 112
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 5
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 9
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 14
- Total
- 2,022
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 2
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 2
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 2
- Total
- 2,023
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 31
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 37
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 78
- Total
- 146
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 2,024
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 25
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 72.2
- Total
- 66.7
- 2021 Cohort
- 150
Instructional Faculty And Class Size30
Instructional Faculty
- A. Total number of instructional faculty
- 61
- B. Total number who are members of minority groups
- 15
- C. Total number who are women
- 34
- D. Total number who are men
- 27
- E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
- 2
- F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
- 54%
- G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
- 5
- H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
- 2
- I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.)
- 0
- J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
- 0
- A. Total number of instructional faculty
- 87
- B. Total number who are members of minority groups
- 24
- C. Total number who are women
- 41
- D. Total number who are men
- 46
- E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
- 0
- F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
- 50%
- G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
- 18
- H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
- 6
- I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.)
- 13
- J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
- 18
- A. Total number of instructional faculty
- 148
- B. Total number who are members of minority groups
- 39
- C. Total number who are women
- 75
- D. Total number who are men
- 73
- E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
- 2
- F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
- 104
- G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
- 23
- H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
- 8
- I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.)
- 13
- J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
- 18
About Bennington College
Bennington College is a very small private university in Bennington, VT, in a city setting.
What Bennington College looks for
Bennington College admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.
Frequently asked
What SAT score do I need for Bennington College?
Bennington College's middle 50% SAT range is 1291 to 1403. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Bennington College?
Middle 50% ACT range is 30 to 32. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Bennington College?
Bennington College admits roughly 45% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.
What does Bennington College actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $30,947 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Bennington College a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Bennington College as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.
