A private college in the public interest.
Bard College seeks to inspire curiosity, a love of learning, idealism, and a commitment to the link between higher education and civic participation.
Bard by the Numbers
Academics at Bard
Academics at Bard focus on giving students a strong scholarly foundation with our core curriculum, then encouraging them to explore individual academic interests.
In the classroom, the level of academic discourse is high, and students are in close contact with scholars who are active in their disciplines alongside teaching. The College provides a beautiful setting in which students pursue their academic interests and craft a rich cultural and social life.
Watch: Annie, a premed biology major at Bard, explores the Reem-Kayden Center for Science and Computation.
Campus Life
Inside and outside the classroom, the focus of student life at Bard College is on campus. From its historic Hudson Valley setting to its state-of-the-art science and arts facilities, the College offers an idyllic environment where students can enjoy a rich social life interwoven with their cultural and intellectual pursuits.
Photo by Jonatha Asiedu ’24
Civic Engagement
Civic engagement is at the core of Bard College’s institutional mission, reflecting the fundamental belief that higher education institutions can and should operate in the public interest. Bard uses its resources to develop partnerships that address local, national, and global problems, reach underserved populations, and tackle critical issues of education and public policy.
Bard's Acting President Jonathan Becker answered some questions about his background, including his time at Bard and the series of events that brought him back nearly 30 years later.
Jonathan Becker Named Acting President of Bard
Bard welcomes Acting President Jonathan Becker, who will lead the institution after the retirement of Bard’s 14th President, Leon Botstein, as the Board of Trustees conducts a search for a permanent president of the College. Becker oversees one of the world’s most innovative institutions of higher education, providing rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse population of over 6,500 students enrolled in AA, BA, Masters, and PhD programs around the world.
What’s New at Bard
Two Bard Alumnae Christine Sun Kim MFA ’13 and Layli Long Soldier MFA ’14 Named 2026 MacArthur Fellows
“For 45 years, MacArthur Fellows have defied boundaries, by questioning conventions, crossing disciplines, and driving collective progress.”
Bard College Launches Ralph Ellison Center, Establishing a Permanent Home for Ellison’s Literary and Intellectual Legacy
“Bard College’s history of fearless, interdisciplinary pursuit makes the college the ideal site to incubate artistry and scholarship anchored by the figure of Ralph Ellison,” said Nicholas Lewis, director of the Ellison Center.
Opening Friday, October 2, China Now Music Festival, “Chasing Dreams,” Presents Concerts and Discussions at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Bard College, Tempo Performing Arts Center, and Asia Society
“We aim to tell stories of the shared dreams, resilience, and creativity that connect all of us, American and Chinese alike. Through music, we can be reminded that our histories and aspirations are deeply intertwined,” says Artistic Director Jindong Cai.
Photo by Chris Kayden
Arts at Bard
Bard College offers the best of both worlds: a traditional liberal arts college with exceptional programs in the fine and performing arts. In small classes taught by notable faculty, students work closely with top professionals in their fields. All students, whatever their major, are encouraged to take advantage of the College’s high-level arts programming and to cultivate their artistic abilities.
Upcoming Events
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10/14Wednesday
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10/14WednesdayGeorge Washington's "Daily Sacrifice": A Bibliographic Mystery Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Library
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10/02FridayFirst Thoughts: Online Practice Labs Online Event
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10/14WednesdayTabling for The Arendt Forum Kline Commons
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10/15Thursday
Explore Bard
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate students can earn a bachelor of arts degree in one of approximately 35 programs.
Graduate Programs
Bard’s Graduate Programs offer specialized study in human rights, environmental policy, and more.
Bard Early Colleges
Bard has been a national leader in early college education since 1979.
International Programs
Bard offers its students a wide range of opportunities to engage in international dialogue.
Bard Network
Bard envisions the liberal arts institution as the hub of a network that spans the globe.
GHEA21
Global Higher Education Alliance for the 21st Century is a network of diverse institutions committed to advancing access to liberal arts and sciences education.