About

About Bennington College

arts focusedself directed learningsmall class sizeslow student faculty ratio

Bennington College is a private liberal arts college in Bennington, VT, known for its arts focused, self directed learning, and small class sizes. With an acceptance rate of 45%, Bennington College is moderately selective, typically enrolling around 220 students each year. Bennington College is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1260–1370, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Bennington College offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $50,861 per year; the sticker price of $80,648 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Bennington College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

moderately selective

45%
Overall Accept Rate
1315
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1260 – 1370 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Bennington College

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

Application Strategy
Bennington requires every student to articulate a self-designed academic plan, so come in with a clear, specific intellectual focus rather than a vague interest in being interdisciplinary. Admissions readers want to see that you have thought hard about what you want to study and why Bennington's self-directed model is the right fit for that work.
Essay Strategy
Use your essays to demonstrate intellectual independence and self-awareness, since Bennington is explicitly built around students who direct their own education. Avoid writing about wanting structure or a traditional college experience, and instead show how you have already been pursuing your own questions and projects.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Bennington College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$81k/yr$18.5k
30k-48k~$81k/yr$18.0k
48k-75k~$81k/yr$22.3k
75k-110k~$81k/yr$25.5k
110k+~$81k/yr$44.6k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

67%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$25k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
753
Undergrad Enrollment
Bennington College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch