Bard College vs Rhodes College

Bard College and Rhodes College, two esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bard, located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (29%) compared to Rhodes' 65% in Memphis, Tennessee. Bard's student body is more diverse, with 45% identifying as students of color, while Rhodes' student body is predominantly White (73%). Both colleges excel in the arts, with popular majors including Music, Studio Art, and English. However, Rhodes offers a wider range of majors, including Business, Engineering, and Computer Science. Bard's graduation rate stands at 82%, while Rhodes' is slightly higher at 85%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bard College	Rhodes College
Overview
Location	Annandale-On-Hudson, New York	Memphis, Tennessee
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	94.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.9%	56.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	$25
SAT range	N/A	1330 - 1490
ACT range	N/A	28 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		12.0%
Students submitting ACT score		32.0%
Total number of applicants	5,167	5,318
Total number of admissions given out	3,096	3,025
Admitted students who chose to enroll	473	592
Yield rate	15.3%	19.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,868	$66,588
Average net price	$24,318	$30,525
Tuition	$57,498	$50,600
Room & board	$16,760	$11,934
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	79.0% Average amount $50,598	97.0% Average amount $35,607
Students receiving federal student loan	49.0% Average amount $5,101	39.0% Average amount $5,289
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $16,225	1.0% Average amount $23,867

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,171 Men 44.4% Women 55.6%	2,050 Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
Graduate students	420 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%	23 Men 39.1% Women 60.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	14.7%	6.4%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,400	1,451
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Visual & Performing Arts Business Education Natural Resources and Conservation	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Physical Science Computer and Information Science Education
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	70.6%	85.4%
Dropout rate	9.9%	1.2%
Transferred out	18.3%	13.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,261 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature/Letters, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $19,624 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,818 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $17,518 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,944 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Music (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $27,353 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,051 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,805 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $68,990 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,921 Year 2: $48,667 Year 3: $63,065 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $59,878 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,918 Year 2: $43,128 Year 3: $47,480 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,668 Year 2: $30,119 Year 3: $36,010 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,132 Year 2: $23,649 Year 3: $35,649 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,837 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,208 Year 2: $21,234 Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,739 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in academic focus between Bard College and Rhodes College?

Bard College emphasizes a liberal arts education with a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and the arts. It's known for its innovative programs and encourages students to think critically and creatively. Rhodes College, while also a liberal arts institution, has a stronger emphasis on pre-professional programs like business, medicine, and law, alongside its humanities offerings. Rhodes also has a strong focus on civic engagement and service learning.
How do the campus environments and locations compare?

Bard College is located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, a rural setting that fosters a close-knit community and provides a tranquil environment conducive to focused study. Rhodes College is situated in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, offering students access to a vibrant urban environment with diverse cultural and professional opportunities. The campus itself is known for its beautiful Collegiate Gothic architecture.
What is the typical student body size and student-faculty ratio at each college?

Bard College has a smaller student body, typically around 2,000 undergraduate students, which allows for smaller class sizes and a more personalized learning experience. Rhodes College has a similar size, with around 2,000 students. Both colleges boast low student-faculty ratios, around 10:1, ensuring students receive ample attention and guidance from their professors.
How do Bard College and Rhodes College differ in terms of their strengths in specific academic departments?

Bard College is particularly strong in the arts (especially visual and performing arts), literature, and social sciences. It's also known for its innovative programs like the Bard Prison Initiative. Rhodes College excels in pre-professional fields, humanities, and social sciences, with notable programs in business, political science, and biology. Rhodes also has a strong focus on undergraduate research opportunities.
What are the key differences in the overall campus culture and student life?

Bard College is known for its progressive and intellectually curious student body, with a strong emphasis on artistic expression and social activism. Rhodes College fosters a more traditional college experience with a strong emphasis on community involvement, Greek life, and a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Rhodes also emphasizes service and civic engagement.
How do the costs of attendance and financial aid opportunities compare between Bard College and Rhodes College?

Both Bard College and Rhodes College have similar tuition costs. Both institutions offer a range of financial aid options, including merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites and use their net price calculators to get a personalized estimate of the cost of attendance based on your family's financial situation.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Bard College and Rhodes College?

Both Bard College and Rhodes College offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career planning. Rhodes College leverages its Memphis location to provide students with access to internships in various industries, including healthcare, business, and non-profit organizations. Bard College provides opportunities in the Hudson Valley and New York City, particularly in the arts, media, and non-profit sectors. Both colleges have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and mentorship.
How do the graduation rates and post-graduate outcomes compare between the two colleges?

Both Bard College and Rhodes College have strong graduation rates, indicating a high level of student success. Graduates from both institutions go on to pursue a variety of paths, including graduate school, professional careers, and public service. Rhodes College graduates often pursue careers in business, law, medicine, and education, while Bard College graduates are frequently found in the arts, media, non-profit sectors, and academia.
What are some of the unique programs or initiatives offered by each college?

Bard College is known for the Bard Prison Initiative, which provides college education to incarcerated individuals. It also has a strong focus on international programs and study abroad opportunities. Rhodes College is known for its commitment to service learning and civic engagement, with numerous opportunities for students to get involved in the Memphis community. Rhodes also has a strong focus on undergraduate research, allowing students to work closely with faculty on cutting-edge projects.
What type of student would thrive at Bard College versus Rhodes College?

A student who is independent, intellectually curious, and passionate about the arts and social justice would likely thrive at Bard College. A student who is academically driven, community-oriented, and interested in pre-professional fields or a more traditional college experience would likely thrive at Rhodes College. Consider your personal preferences, academic interests, and career goals when making your decision.

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