Bennington College
Bennington, Vermont · Private
Bennington College admitted 37% of 2,709 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1335–1475 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 67% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Bennington College
Enter a score to see whether Bennington College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (37%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Bennington College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 10, 2027
The application is free. Bennington College asks for the Common App personal essay, two teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Bennington College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 17% (47 of 272), compared with 37% for all applicants.
Bennington College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
123 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 103 took it, and 43 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Bennington College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Talent or ability
- Character
Important
- Interview
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Activities
- First generation
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
- Showing interest
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.67 GPA. 31% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $87,284 a year. After grants, students paid $35,108 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Bennington College’s acceptance rate?
Bennington College admitted 37% of applicants: 1,008 of 2,709 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Bennington College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 10, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Bennington College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1335 to 1475, with a median around 1410. A score at or above 1410 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Bennington College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does Bennington College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Bennington College asks for the Common App personal essay, two teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Bennington College have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, Bennington College asks 2 questions of its own on top of the main essay (no required supplement. two optional spaces, up to 250 words each). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does Bennington College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Bennington College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
Not sure which colleges fit?
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Writing your essays? See Bennington College’s supplemental essays and get a free essay review.