Bennington College's published cost of attendance is $87,284, but financial aid significantly reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $18,480; middle-income families pay around $22,336; higher-income families pay approximately $44,625.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $87,284 |
| Tuition and Fees | $66,262 |
| Room and Board | $19,108 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$56,337 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $30,947 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $18,480 |
| $30–48k | $18,012 |
| $48–75k | $22,336 |
| $75–110k | $25,508 |
| $110k+ | $44,625 |
Bennington College's published cost of attendance is $87,284, but financial aid significantly reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $18,480; middle-income families pay around $22,336; higher-income families pay approximately $44,625. Azimuth ranks Bennington College #1212 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Bennington's aid structure combines need-based institutional aid with federal and state grant programs. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and families apply using the FAFSA. Merit scholarships are available for qualified students, and work-study is available as part of the aid package for eligible students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,023; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $38,899, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Bennington College earn median 4-year earnings of $38,899, placing Bennington College in the 1.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $35,687 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bennington College in the 1.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Bennington College #1469 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Bennington College's concentration in Visual & Performing Arts. Visual and Performing Arts is the largest program with 34 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,958, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft follows with 23 graduates earning $23,575, also at 0.6x benchmark. The Music program graduates 15 students earning median 4-year earnings of $26,241 at 0.6x benchmark. These outcomes correspond to the institution's distinctive curricular model, where students design individualized programs anchored in creative and analytical disciplines that connect directly to career pathways in design, media, performance, and cultural institutions.
