Vassar College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Vassar College is a private university in Poughkeepsie, New York, enrolling about 2,444 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 18.57% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $71,366 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $71,030
- 2024 Average Net Price: $39,343 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 18.57% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,444 98.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 91.08%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 14.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 6.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 85.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1494
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,630
- Applicants (IPEDS): 12,145
- Room & Board: $18,240 annual estimate
Vassar College: what the data shows
Common questions about Vassar College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Vassar College?
Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (ZIP 12604).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Vassar College public or private?
Vassar College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Vassar College cost?
Published tuition: $71,030.
Average net price after aid: $39,343.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $15,953 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,548 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,126 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $25,773 |
| $110,001+ | $56,615 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $284,120.
How hard is it to get into Vassar College?
Admission rate: 18.57%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1494 and midpoint ACT 33.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Vassar College?
Total enrollment: 2,444 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,630 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Vassar College?
150%-time completion rate: 91.08%.
First-year retention: 94.9%.
What do graduates of Vassar College earn?
Median earnings: $49,177 six years after entry; $71,366 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,625.
19.24% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Vassar College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Economics, General (53 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (47 completions)
- Mathematics, General (45 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (42 completions)
- Biochemistry (41 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (36 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (34 completions)
- Neuroscience (32 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (31 completions)
- International Relations and Affairs (24 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Vassar College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 18.57%; completion rate 91.08%; median earnings $71,366 at 10 years; net price $39,343. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$71,030
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Vassar College was $71,030.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$39,343
2024 Value
In 2024 Vassar College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $39,343.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$157,372 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$39,343 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$284,120 4-Year Tuition
$18,240 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$900 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$90,170 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$360,680 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Vassar College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
38.76% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Vassar College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Vassar College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $47,890 | $47,890 | $20,386 |
| 2014 | $49,570 | $49,570 | $21,002 |
| 2015 | $51,250 | $51,250 | $21,858 |
| 2016 | $53,090 | $53,090 | $21,581 |
| 2017 | $55,210 | $55,210 | $24,227 |
| 2018 | $56,960 | $56,960 | $27,808 |
| 2019 | $58,770 | $58,770 | $26,208 |
| 2020 | $60,930 | $60,930 | $27,499 |
| 2021 | $62,870 | $62,870 | $35,236 |
| 2022 | $64,800 | $64,800 | $35,701 |
| 2023 | $67,805 | $67,805 | $38,182 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
18.57% Acceptance Rate
12,145 Total Applicants
2,153 Students Admitted
689 First-Time Students Enrolled
32.00% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1494
ACT Average: 33
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.85
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Vassar College reported total enrollment of about 2,444 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (54.0%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%), and Asian (11.7%). About 19.24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 14.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Vassar College in 2024 is 2,444 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,630 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
94.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 54.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
84.06% 100% Completion Time
91.08% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 84.06% of students graduating from Vassar College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Economics, General: 66% male / 34% female
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 26% male / 74% female
- Mathematics, General: 60% male / 40% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Vassar College.
Return on Investment
$18,625 Median Student Debt
$71,366 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
26.10% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
353.49% Return on Investment
2.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Vassar College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 48 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Economics, General: 53 completions
2. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 47 completions
3. Mathematics, General: 45 completions
4. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 42 completions
5. Biochemistry: 41 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 36 completions
7. Political Science and Government, General: 34 completions
8. Neuroscience: 32 completions
9. English Language and Literature, General: 31 completions
Most popular programs at Vassar College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Vassar College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Vassar College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 85.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,587
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $34,689
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Vassar College is a private non-profit institution located in Poughkeepsie, NY, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Economics, General, Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Mathematics, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,444 students. Student body composition includes White (54.0%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%), Asian (11.7%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 18.57%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1494. The 150%-time completion rate is 91.08%. Approximately 19.24% of students receive Pell Grants. About 14.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 91.08% graduation rate, Vassar College demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vassar College located?
Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY.
What is Vassar College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Vassar College is 18.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 12,145 applicants and 2,153 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Vassar College cost?
Reported tuition is $71,030 and average net price is $39,343 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,240 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Vassar College?
Vassar College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,630 students, White (54.0%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Vassar College?
About 14.2% of students at Vassar College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Vassar College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Vassar College reports midpoint SAT about 1494 and midpoint ACT about 33.
What do graduates of Vassar College earn?
Median earnings are $49,177 six years after entry and $71,366 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Vassar College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 91.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Vassar College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,625.
Is Vassar College public or private?
Vassar College is a private nonprofit institution located in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Is Vassar College an HBCU?
No. Vassar College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Vassar College a tribal college?
No. Vassar College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- New York college costs
- New York colleges by ROI
- Poughkeepsie, New York city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New York
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.