Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Vassar College is a private liberal arts college located in Poughkeepsie, New York. Vassar College is very selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Vassar College is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $62,332 10 years after enrolling, 34th in New York, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Vassar College bachelor students earn 6% less than the national average. Vassar College is ranked 68th in New York.
Vassar College’s median net annual cost of $27,499 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Vassar College sorted by number of graduates - Biology, Economics, Poli Sci/Government, Research&Experimental Psych, English Language & Lit, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$27,499
Average years to graduate
4.1
Computer science
Rank: #60
Economic score: 1.24
Mathematics
Rank: #110
Economic score: 2.86
FIlm, Video & Photography
Rank: #7
Economic score: 3.77
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #73
Economic score: 6.12
Drama
Rank: #28
Economic score: 6.93
Education
Rank: #23
Economic score: 7.09
Cognitive Science
Rank: #15
Economic score: 12.17
Sociology
Rank: #344
Economic score: 20.66
Natural Resource Conservation
Rank: #216
Economic score: 52.45
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Rank: #66
Economic score: 77.73
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 91% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Vassar College is 24% higher than the state average, and 22% above the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At Vassar College, Pell Grant recipients represent 21% of the measured graduating class, 14% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Vassar College graduates within 4.1 years.
Vassar College is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Vassar College’s economic mobility score of 19.34 is calculated by adjusting the 1 economic score of lower-income students by the 21% pell grant recipients within the student body. Vassar College’s EMS of 19.34 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Vassar College pays $27,499 a year, $50,671 less than the $78,170 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $27,499
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Vassar College, 57% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $27,499 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 48% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $4,945. This is 6% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$3,729
Pell grants
$4,985
State grants
$3,031
Institutional grants
$47,391
Vassar College's very selective admissions are indicated by their 20% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 10,884 applicants, of which 2,193 were admitted and 679 enrolled. Vassar College doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
57%
59%
First time
99%
59%
In-state
27%
68%
1st generation
14%
35%
White
58%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
8%
15%
Asian
12%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
18%
12%