Bennington College
Bennington College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bennington College at a Glance
Bennington College is a private liberal arts college in Bennington, Vermont, United States. Founded as a women’s college in 1932, it became co-educational in 1969. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Is Bennington College Worth It?
At a value score of 21/100, Bennington College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,289 — 29% below average — while paying $30,947/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $26,000 representing 68% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bennington College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bennington College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #19 of 52 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Brescia University | 67 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| #4 | Baptist University of Florida | 64 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| #5 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #19 | Bennington College | 21 | $30,947 | $38,289 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bennington College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in VT.
Best Programs at Bennington College
The highest-earning program at Bennington College is Visual and Performing Arts, General at $18,100/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Visual and Performing Arts, General graduate from Bennington College earns $18,100, while a Visual and Performing Arts, General graduate earns $18,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Visual and Performing Arts, General graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,947/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $18,100 | $18,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in VT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bennington, VT
- Student Body
- 780 students
- Admission Rate
- 45%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,947
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,289
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000