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Vassar College

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Suburb · 2,444 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · vassar.edu
$39,343
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
90%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$71,366
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
19%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in Poughkeepsie, New York, Vassar College is a premier liberal arts institution renowned for its legacy as a former Seven Sisters school, a vibrant artistic tradition, and an intellectually adventurous community. The college features a flexible open curriculum with no core requirements, allowing students complete freedom to design custom academic paths with standout strengths in drama, art history, English, political science, and neuroscience. Campus life is distinctly progressive, creative, and collaborative, powered by an undergraduate-only student body that actively engages in social activism, performance, and faculty-mentored research. Setting Vassar apart is its breathtaking 1,000-acre arboretum campus, which houses a historic library, an acclaimed university art museum, and a working ecological farm used for study and sustainability initiatives.

Wikipedia:Vassar College is a private liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. Founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar, it was the second degree-granting institution of higher education for women in the United States. The college became coeducational in 1969. The college offers BA degrees in more than fifty majors. Vassar College's varsity sports teams, known as the Brewers, play in the NCAA Division III as members of the Liberty League. As of 2023, there are close to 2,500 students.

Location
Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
HPN · Westchester
44 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$71,030
Housing & food (on campus)$18,240
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$87,419
Average net price$39,343
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$71,030
Housing & food (on campus)$18,240
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$87,419
Average net price$39,343
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$15,953
$30–48k
$14,548
$48–75k
$14,126
$75–110k
$25,773
$110k+
$56,615
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
90%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
84%
Back for yr 2
95%
Transferred
6%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
93% graduated · 6% transferred · 1% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$49,177
10 yrs after entry$71,366
Debt
Median at graduation$18,625
Monthly payment$197
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$20.3k
90th percentile$24,350
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
19%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1494
R 730–770 · M 720–780
ACT midpoint
33
Comp 33–35
SAT middle 50%: 1450–1550
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Checked Sep 2026 · vassar.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Vassar College: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Vassar College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Vassar College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
7 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
14%
Family income
$71,194
Independent
3%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
54%
Hispanic
14%
Black
4%
Asian
12%
Two or more
8%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Golf
    Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$49,177
After 10 yrs
$71,366
Economics59
Research and Experimental Psychology45
Mathematics43
Biology, General42
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology39
Political Science and Government38
English Language and Literature, General37
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics33
Computer and Information Sciences, General31
International Relations and National Security Studies26
Film/Video and Photographic Arts25
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft24
Neurobiology and Neurosciences22
Natural Resources Conservation and Research21
Cognitive Science21
Area Studies19
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.3B
Full-time faculty
85%
Faculty salary
$13,587/mo
Teaching spend
$34,689
per student
Federal loans
39%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Vassar College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search