Bard College
United States • Founded 1860 • World Rank #4117
Overview
Established in 1860, the Bard College is a non-profit private liberal arts higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium town of Annandale-on-Hudson (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), New York.
Officially accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Bard College is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Anglican religion. Bard College offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 164-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this US higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Bard College also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Bard College's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
The numbers below cover the academic side of Bard College. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.
Academic Structures
The departmental layout below shows how Bard College groups subjects, faculties, and teaching units. Subject grouping reflects institutional priorities, research strengths, and historical evolution.
Unit 5 items
- Bard College Conservatory of Music
- Division of Languages and Literature
- Division of Science, Mathematics and Computing
- Division of Social Studies
- Division of the Arts
Programs Offered
Bard College's programme finder filters by name across all degree levels. Departmental admissions criteria sometimes differ from institutional minimums — verify against the programme page before relying on either.
Bachelor's Degree
24 programmes
Bard College lists 24 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Social Sciences, Other Social & Cultural Studies
Dance Performing Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Psychology, General Psychology
Music Music
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Engineering, General General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Literature English Language Studies
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Liberal Arts
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Physics Physics & Astronomy
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
11 programmes
Bard College offers 11 programmes at master's level — postgraduate programmes that deepen a specialism, usually over one to two years after a bachelor's degree.
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Social Sciences, Other Social & Cultural Studies
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Visual and Performing Arts, Other Visual Arts
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other English Language Studies
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
2 programmes
Bard College's 2 programmes at this tier lead to a doctorate, the credential expected for academic, senior research, and many specialist professional roles.
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
3 programmes
These 3 programmes cover Bard College's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.
Music Music
Music Music
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Bard College
A short guide to applying to Bard College — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Bard College runs 40 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to Bard College, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United States.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Bard College's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.bard.edu). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (845) 758 6822. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bard College
Common questions students ask about Bard College — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
In what year was Bard College established?
Bard College was founded in 1860 (approximately 166 years ago).
In which city is Bard College?
Bard College is based in Annandale-on-Hudson, United States.
Is Bard College public or private?
Bard College is a private institution.
How many students study at Bard College?
Bard College has approximately 2,000-2,999 students.
What is Bard College's ranking?
Bard College is ranked #4117 globally and #433 in United States.
What is Bard College's religious tradition?
Bard College is associated with Christian-Anglican.
What is Bard College's academic structure?
The institution comprises 5 academic units.
Is Bard College accredited?
Yes, Bard College is recognised by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
What is Bard College's official website?
Bard College's official website is www.bard.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Selectivity at the top the United States universities sets admissions baseline expectations for students applying to Bard College. The selectivity gap between Bard College and the leaders below tells you about admissions context.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Membership renewal cycles for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.
Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Anglican
Prayer and worship space provision is generally a baseline at Christian-Anglican universities. The peers below typically maintain dedicated spaces alongside academic facilities.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Industry placements and co-op programmes around Bard College draw on the same regional employer base. The nearby universities listed below often compete for similar internship slots.
Where Else to Study Liberal Arts
Beyond Bard College, several other universities in the United States deliver focused Liberal Arts programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Often Compared with Bard College
International branch campuses are common among universities at Bard College's tier. Peer institutions often operate in similar geographies, signalling comparable global ambition.
