Bennington College
Bennington
Bennington, Vermont 05201-6003
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Close-knit campus
Bennington College is a private town institution in Bennington, Vermont. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1358.
A small campus of 759 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
67% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,289 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $31,918.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History 1920s Robert Devore Leigh The planning for the establishment of Bennington College began in 1924 and took nine years to be realized.
- •In 1928, six years before the college would begin, Robert Devore Leigh was recruited by the Bennington College executive committee to serve as the first president of Bennington.
- •In 1929 Leigh authored the Bennington College Prospectus which outlined the "Bennington idea".
- •1930s Bennington was founded as a women’s college in 1932 and the first class of eighty-seven women arrived on campus that year.
Source: Wikipedia
Notable Alumni
Peter Dinklage
Emmy Award-winning actor (Game of Thrones)
Donna Tartt
Pulitzer Prize-winning author (The Goldfinch)
Bret Easton Ellis
Novelist (American Psycho, Less Than Zero)
Alan Arkin
Academy Award-winning actor
Carol Channing
Broadway legend and actress
Jonathan Lethem
Award-winning novelist
Judith Butler
Philosopher and gender theorist
Schools Like This
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1358
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 15
Decision by mid-December
Aid deadline: November 15
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 15
Decision by early February
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by late March
Reply by May 1
Bennington is test-optional. Students may submit SAT or ACT scores if they wish.
Bennington-specific essay questions are part of the Common Application supplement.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 15
Spring Transfer
November 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Need-blind for domestic students.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
51.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
4.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$19,250
Academics
No core curriculum or distribution requirements. Students design their own Plan Process, a self-directed course of study.
Research: Students work closely with faculty on research and creative projects throughout their studies.
Thesis: All seniors complete a comprehensive Plan Process culminating in a senior work or thesis.
Programs (92)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Employers
Top Graduate Schools
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
85%
Campus Life
Small but active athletics program with focus on soccer, basketball, and other sports.
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Upper-class students can live in colonial houses on campus with shared living spaces.
Dining
Dining services emphasize local and sustainable ingredients.
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
5
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from VT state average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Compact 370-acre campus in rural Vermont; most buildings within walking distance.
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Admission Office
Office of Admissions, One College Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Nearby Attractions
Downtown Benningtonwalkable
Historic Vermont town with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Bennington Museum
Art and history museum featuring Grandma Moses collection.
Bennington Battle Monument
306-foot stone obelisk commemorating Revolutionary War battle.
Mount Greylock
Highest peak in Massachusetts, popular for hiking.
Days out near Bennington
NewTwo or three colleges you can see in one day around Buskirk, from real bookable tour times.
See all days out →