Head-to-head · 2026
Bennington College vs Saint Michael's College
Compare average net price ($30,947 at Bennington College; $25,239 at Saint Michael's College), ROI score (3.09 vs 6.07), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,289 vs $61,317), and admissions selectivity (44.5% acceptance at Bennington College; 84.5% at Saint Michael's College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Bennington College | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3.09 | 6.07 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $30,947 | $25,239 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $123,788 | $100,956 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $66,262 | $51,450 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $66,262 | $51,450 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,289 | $61,317 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 44.5% | 84.5% |
| Graduation rate | 71.2% | 72.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 82% ✓ | 79.9% |
| Median debt | $26,000 ✓ | $26,922 |
| Enrollment | 780 | 1,092 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1364 | 1245 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Bennington College | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,480 | $12,825 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,012 | $9,940 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,336 | $18,384 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $25,508 ✓ | $26,586 |
| Family income $110k+ | $44,625 | $34,539 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Bennington College | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Education, General | 0.3% | 10.5% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 3.6% | 7% |
| Psychology, General | 2.3% | 8.1% |
| Biology, General | 1.3% | 8.4% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 7.5% | 0.2% |
| Music | 4.9% | 0.6% |
| Computer Science | 3.9% | 1.3% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 3.3% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Saint Michael's College reports the lower average net price by $5,708 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $22,832 difference over four years ($100,956 vs $123,788).
Saint Michael's College reports $23,028 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,317 vs $38,289). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 82% at Bennington College and 79.9% at Saint Michael's College. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $26,922, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Bennington College vs Saint Michael's College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Saint Michael's College is cheaper — average net price $25,239 per year vs $30,947 at Bennington College. The annual difference of $5,708 adds up to about $22,832 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Saint Michael's College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,317 vs $38,289 at Bennington College. The gap in the federal data is $23,028. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Bennington College is more selective at 44.5% acceptance vs 84.5% at Saint Michael's College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.