Vassar College
About Vassar College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Vassar College is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, in the Hudson Valley. Highly selective with a 19% acceptance rate, it is known for its biology, economics, political science, and drama programs, with a 92% graduation rate and a tradition of intellectual independence.
Founded
1861
Location
Poughkeepsie, New York
Students
2,444
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
18.6%
Very selective
Graduation Rate
91.1%
Above national average
Tuition
$71,030
Per year
Avg Net Price
$39,343
After financial aid
SAT Average
1494
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$71,366
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Highly Selective
About 5 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$65
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 1
Vassar College admits about 18.6% of applicants, with an average SAT around 1494. Strong academics are a must, and your essays and activities will make the difference.
SAT Scores
1494/ 1600
ACT Scores
33/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
91.1% complete their degree within six years
Retention
94.9%
4-Year Grad
87%
6-Year Grad
93%
Teaching Quality
7:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
85.3%
$/Student
$34.7K
Class Size
Small
87% of students graduate on time, and with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$71,030
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$18,240
Books & Supplies
$900
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,419
After Financial Aid
$39,343
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$15,953
Receive Grants
19.2%
Take Loans
38.8%
The total cost of attendance runs about $87,419/yr, including $18,240 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $39,343.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Vassar College fund their education.
While in School
19.2%
Get Grants
Free money
38.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$71,194
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$18,625
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$197/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 38.8% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $18,625. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Vassar College.
Gender
61.7%
Female
38%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,444
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
14.2%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
1.3%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 62% of the student body. 6.1% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
2,444
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Vassar College fields 14 varsity teams with 556 student athletes, about 23% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
Upstate
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
14
Biggest: Lacrosse
Student Athletes
556
23% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
51% / 49%
281
Men
275
Women
12
Men's Teams
13
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Vassar Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$71,366
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Economics
$80K
59 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
$34K
45 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics
$52K
43 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$38K
42 grads
1yr Earnings
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
$46K
39 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$49K
38 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $49K at six years, $49K at eight, and $71K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vassar College
What is the acceptance rate at Vassar College?▾
How much does Vassar College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Vassar College?▾
How much do Vassar College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.