About

About Vassar College

liberal arts collegesmall class sizesselective admissionsarts and sciences focus

Vassar College is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, NY, known for its liberal arts college, small class sizes, and selective admissions. With an acceptance rate of 19%, Vassar College is highly selective, typically enrolling around 681 students each year. Vassar College is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1460–1520, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Vassar College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $15,953.

Admissions

Vassar College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

highly selective

19%
Overall Accept Rate
1490
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1460 – 1520 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Vassar College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Vassar reads essays with serious attention, rating them at the highest importance level, so write about genuine intellectual curiosity rather than achievements. Show the admissions committee how you think, not just what you have done.
Demonstrated Interest
Vassar explicitly does not track demonstrated interest, so do not stress about visiting or emailing admissions officers to boost your chances. Put that energy into strengthening your essays and application instead.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Vassar College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Meets 100% of demonstrated need: Vassar College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Vassar College's sticker price of ~$81k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$81k/yr$16.0k
30k-48k~$81k/yr$14.5k
48k-75k~$81k/yr$14.1k
75k-110k~$81k/yr$25.8k
110k+~$81k/yr$56.6k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

89%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
2,441
Undergrad Enrollment
Vassar College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch