Head-to-head comparison
Skidmore College vs. Vassar College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Skidmore or Vassar harder to get into?
Vassar is harder to get into than Skidmore. Vassar's 18.6% acceptance rate is lower than Skidmore's 21.1%.
Which is cheaper, Skidmore or Vassar?
Skidmore costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Skidmore's average net price is $32,297 vs $39,343 at Vassar.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Vassar graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $69,363 at Skidmore and $71,366 at Vassar.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Skidmore | Vassar |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 21.1% | 18.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1340–1480 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–33 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,270 | $87,419 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $32,297 | $39,343 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 2,694 | 2,444 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 82.6% | 91.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $69,363 | $71,366 |
| Setting | Saratoga Springs, NY | Poughkeepsie, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Vassar is modestly harder to get into. The 2.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Vassar draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1550 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Skidmore is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $7,046 per year, $28,184 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Skidmore is in Saratoga Springs, NY; Vassar is in Poughkeepsie, New York. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Vassar's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (91.1% vs 82.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Skidmore is 59.9% women, 7.4% international, and 5.9% Asian-American. Vassar is 61.7% women, 6.1% international, and 11.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Skidmore | Vassar |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.9% | 61.7% |
| International | 7.4% | 6.1% |
| White | 64.3% | 54.0% |
| Asian | 5.9% | 11.7% |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.6% |
| Black | 4.3% | 3.8% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Skidmore vs. Vassar?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Skidmore if
- Your odds are realistic at Skidmore (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Skidmore costs $7,046 less per year on average
- the Saratoga Springs campus
Pick Vassar if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($71,366 vs $69,363)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the open curriculum
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Skidmore College
21.1% accept · Saratoga Springs, NY
Full profile
Vassar College
18.6% accept · Poughkeepsie, New York
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.