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.
What’s New at Bard
Bard College Presents Anthony Hecht Lectures in the Humanities Featuring Singer and Scholar Ian Bostridge
In his lecture series, “Ancestral Voices Prophesying: Notes on Britten's War Requiem,” Bostridge—who has performed War Requiem nearly a hundred times since 1994—will examine the layers of meaning and context in the piece.
Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College Hosts 17th Annual International Conference on “JOY: Loving the World in Dark Times” October 16–17
Inspired by Hannah Arendt's own resilience, the conference theme delves into how we can find and cultivate joy as a path to a more engaged and meaningful life.
Bard Conservatory Celebrates 20 Years with Landmark Lincoln Center Concert on October 29
Dual Milestone Event Honors Bard College Conservatory’s 20th Anniversary and Leon Botstein’s 50th Year as President, Highlighting a Half-Century of Classical Music and Higher Education
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
-
9/16TuesdayThe Importance of Official Data in Assessing Economic Conditions 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm EDT/GMT-4
Olin Hall
-
9/16Tuesday
-
9/17WednesdayStudio Models, Artistic Innovation, and the Moscow Avant-Garde 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Olin Humanities, Room 102
-
9/17WednesdaySigned, Sealed, Still Debated: A Constitution Day Conversation 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston, NY
-
9/18ThursdayMelissa Shook: Freedom to Create Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Library
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.