Bard College vs New York School of Interior Design: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bard College comes closer — median earnings $46,543 against a $138,596 total, vs $48,041 at New York School of Interior Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bard College | New York School of Interior Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,649 | $45,271 |
| Total net cost | $138,596 | $181,084 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,543 | $48,041 |
| Median debt | $24,254 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$174,936 | -$187,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bard College or New York School of Interior Design?
Bard College, at $34,649 a year after aid versus $45,271 — a gap of $10,622 a year, or $42,488 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 New York School of Interior Design graduates earn more?
New York School of Interior Design graduates report a median $48,041 ten years after entry, $1,498 more than the $46,543 at Bard 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 graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at New York School of Interior Design, 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.