At $31,918/yr net price, Bennington College graduates earn $38,289/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,289/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,918 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $127,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,289/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,289/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 29.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,950/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,334/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,325/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,794/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,365/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other. | Master | $29,685 | $38,838 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | Bachelor | $17,950 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
66.7% of students at Bennington College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Bennington College leaves you with weak financial returns. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit at $38,289, barely above what many jobs pay without a degree. You'll carry $26,000 in median debt against that income, a ratio that leaves little room to breathe.
The program data makes the problem concrete. The two bachelor's programs with reported earnings are English at $21,964 and Visual and Performing Arts at $17,950. Those are among the lowest-paying fields anywhere, and at Bennington they define the school. If you enroll to study writing, theater, dance, or visual art, expect entry-level arts wages that may take years to climb. The Visual and Performing Arts path pairs that $17,950 figure with $27,000 in debt, which is the worst combination on this page.
The specific risk here is a rural Vermont location with no large regional employer base to absorb arts graduates. You'll likely need to relocate to a city for work, adding cost on top of the debt you already carry. The 66.7% graduation rate also means one in three of you leaves without a degree, still owing money.
The net price tiers do help lower-income families. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $18,000 to $19,000 a year. Above $110k, the price jumps to $43,365, close to full sticker. But even the discounted price buys you into fields with low earnings, so the aid softens the cost without fixing the return.
Bennington fits you if you want a specific arts or writing education, have family resources to absorb low early earnings, and treat the degree as a personal goal instead of a financial investment. If you need the degree to pay for itself, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bennington College worth the high cost?
Bennington College graduates earn a median of $38,289 ten years after graduation, which is low compared to the $31,918 annual net price. With a 67% graduation rate and $26,000 in median debt, the financial return is poor for most students.
What majors at Bennington College have the best job prospects?
English Language and Literature graduates from Bennington earn around $29,685, while Visual and Performing Arts majors earn just $17,950. All of the school's top programs show below-average earning potential compared to national standards.
How much debt do Bennington College students typically graduate with?
Bennington students graduate with a median debt of $26,000. Given the low post-graduation earnings of $38,289, this debt burden represents a significant financial risk.
Does Bennington College provide good financial aid?
The net price at Bennington is $31,918 per year after financial aid. This is still expensive relative to graduate earning potential, making it difficult for most students to see positive returns on their investment.