Hudson Valley Community College vs Bard College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hudson Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,460 against a $17,002 total, vs $46,543 at Bard College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Hudson Valley Community College | Bard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,501 | $34,649 |
| Total net cost | $17,002 | $138,596 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,460 | $46,543 |
| Median debt | $10,625 | $24,254 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$75,002 | -$174,936 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Hudson Valley Community College or Bard College?
Hudson Valley Community College, at $8,501 a year after aid versus $34,649 — a gap of $26,148 a year, or $121,594 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Hudson Valley Community College or Bard College graduates earn more?
Bard College graduates report a median $46,543 ten years after entry, $1,083 more than the $45,460 at Hudson Valley Community 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, Hudson Valley Community College or Bard College?
Hudson Valley Community College: its completers carry a median $10,625 in federal loans versus $24,254 at Bard College, a difference of $13,629. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Bard College, against 35% at Hudson Valley Community 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.