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Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, New York · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Suburb

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At a glance

Average net price
$39,343What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
19%
Graduation rate
90%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
2,444
In-state tuition
$71,030Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$71,030
SAT midpoint
1,480
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$71,366Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$39,343

Better than 6% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

90%

Better than 95% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$71,366

Better than 83% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$18,625

Better than 87% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$87,419

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$39,343

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Vassar College
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time90%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return95%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$18,625
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$71,366

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Vassar College by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Computer and Information Sciences, General$80,03731
Economics$79,84559
Mathematics$52,08543
Political Science and Government$48,67938
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$45,59939
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$41,75222
Urban Studies/Affairs$39,41012
History$38,46116
Biology, General$37,80242
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$35,3162
Research and Experimental Psychology$34,36145
International Relations and National Security Studies$31,95626
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$28,99933
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$28,02825
Science, Technology and Society$27,21517
Sociology$26,35616
English Language and Literature, General$24,61437
Communication and Media Studies$23,27014
Area Studies$22,74119
Fine and Studio Arts$19,79018
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$19,33924
Cognitive ScienceNot reported21
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported21
Education, GeneralNot reported19
PhysicsNot reported13
PhilosophyNot reported12
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported11
ChemistryNot reported11
MusicNot reported10
AnthropologyNot reported9
Geography and CartographyNot reported8
Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesNot reported7
Astronomy and AstrophysicsNot reported7
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reported6
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesNot reported4
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported4
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported3
Classical and Ancient StudiesNot reported3
Medieval and Renaissance StudiesNot reported1
Social Sciences, OtherNot reported1
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNot reportedNot reported

All 41 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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