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Bard College vs Boricua College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Annandale-On-Hudson NY · vs · Private nonprofit, New York NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bard College comes closer — median earnings $46,543 against a $138,596 total, vs $35,348 at Boricua College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBard CollegeBoricua College
Net price / yr$34,649$15,245
Total net cost$138,596$60,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,543$35,348
Median debt$24,254$6,733
Payback
20-year net return-$174,936-$321,220

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bard College or Boricua College?

Boricua College, at $15,245 a year after aid versus $34,649 — a gap of $19,404 a year, or $77,616 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bard College or Boricua College graduates earn more?

Bard College graduates report a median $46,543 ten years after entry, $11,195 more than the $35,348 at Boricua College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bard College or Boricua College?

Boricua College: its completers carry a median $6,733 in federal loans versus $24,254 at Bard College, a difference of $17,521. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

81% of students finish at Boricua College, against 68% at Bard College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bard College vs Boricua College: frequently asked questions

Is Bard College or Boricua College a better value?
Bard College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Bard College or Boricua College?
Boricua College: $15,245/yr net price after aid versus $34,649/yr at Bard College — a difference of $19,404 a year, or about $77,616 over four years.
Do Bard College or Boricua College graduates earn more?
Bard College graduates earn a median $46,543 ten years after entry, versus $35,348 at Boricua College — a $11,195 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.