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Bennington , VT
Bennington College is a small, progressive liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont. Founded in 1932, the college has a reputation for its innovative approach to education. Bennington offers a unique, student-centered learning experience where students have the freedom to design their own curriculum.
At Bennington College, students have the liberty to create their individualized programs of study and pursue their passions across a wide range of disciplines. In addition to traditional areas of study like the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, Bennington emphasizes creativity and collaboration through its arts programs. The visual and performing arts play a central role at the college, with exceptional facilities and resources available to students.
The college prides itself on its close-knit community and supportive atmosphere. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, small class sizes allow for personalized attention and meaningful interactions with professors. Bennington's faculty are not only accomplished scholars in their fields but also dedicated mentors who foster students' intellectual growth and creative pursuits. The college's commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary exploration, combined with its beautiful campus and vibrant artistic community, make Bennington College a distinctive and appealing choice for students seeking an unconventional and engaging college experience.
Bennington College is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Bennington, VT. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 44%. The freshman retention rate at Bennington College is 82.03% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about Bennington College.
Quick Facts
797
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$65,400
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Here are the most relevant data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Bennington College.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,334 in 2025. Bennington College has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This prominent institution with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 10.4% and ACT scores 3.9%. 25% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 69% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 6% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 67 and 33 between 24-29.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 32 while the average GPA was 3.53. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 725 and an average SAT Math score of 610.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Bennington College was 82.03%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Bennington College in 2025 was 927.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 95% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 797, 92 of which were foreign students. 57 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 215 male and 659 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 18, while the number of Afro-American students was 32. 70 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 47 as multirace. There were also 16 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $65,400 in 2025. Since Bennington College is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $865.
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The estimated cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Bennington College was $19,110 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $10,375, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,375.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 65,400 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,110 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 85,710 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Bennington College, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 150 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $57,907.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
452 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Bennington College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 452. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $1,297,486, and state $79,601. The students of Bennington College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $22,171,063, and external in the amount of $372,499.
$43,380
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
61 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 28 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $12,275,820. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $895,267 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Bennington College was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 148. This number included 73 male and 75 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Bennington College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about campus life at Bennington College.
Its campus is 440 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There are 45 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that is most favored by students is FLoW Student Collective, followed by Student Educational Policies Committee and Student Council. Other popular organizations at Bennington College are Volleyball and Soccer.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you.
Student Services
At Bennington College, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Bennington College is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Bennington College.
Career Counselling
At Bennington College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
FAQ
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Bennington College is located in Bennington, VT.
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Bennington College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 65,400 USD per academic year for Bennington College.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Bennington College is 44%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Bennington College is 82.03%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.