UNIVERSITY · CDS 2023-2024
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 2,444 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top LACNeed-Blind
Accept
18.6%
Yield
28.8%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1448–1550
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
728–770
SAT Math (mid 50%)
720–780
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
33–35
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTENot separately reported in CDS
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$76,140
Total COA
$96,960
Avg need-based aid
$68,147
Avg merit award
None
Net price after avg need aid
$28,813
Vassar meets 1% of demonstrated need on average.
ImportantVassar does not award non-need merit scholarships. All institutional aid is need-based. Use this honestly with families: a strong applicant here gets in, but the price is set by the FAFSA/CSS, not by stats.
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Vassar's AP Policy
Vassar College awards 1.0 unit of credit for AP scores of 4 or 5, with a maximum of 2.0 units of exam-based credit. This credit can be used to fulfill graduation requirements, but does not typically exempt students from introductory courses.
Min score
4
Credit cap
8 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankImportant
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresConsidered
- Application EssayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
The mission of Vassar College is to make accessible “the means of a thorough, well-proportioned and liberal education”* that inspires each individual to lead a purposeful life.
Distilled Themes
liberal educationpurposeful lifeindependent thinkingengaged citizenshipdiversity and inclusion
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Vassar is a top-tier LAC that values intellectual curiosity and a commitment to social justice.
- 02They are looking for students who are not afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box.
- 03A strong sense of community and a desire to contribute to it are highly valued.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a genuine passion for learning and a desire to explore a wide range of academic interests.
- 02Highlight experiences that show a commitment to social justice and community engagement.
- 03Showcase your unique personality and how you will contribute to the vibrant and diverse Vassar community.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of intellectual curiosity or a narrow focus on a single academic area
- A purely academic focus without any evidence of engagement with the world outside the classroom
- A generic application that does not show a genuine interest in Vassar's unique culture and values
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI); Sophomore Career Connections; Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Paris
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Nov 15, 2025
Early Decision II
Binding
Jan 1, 2026
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Jan 1, 2026
Early Action
Not offered
—
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2023-2024)
Not trackedWeight: Considered
Vassar's official admissions page states they do not track demonstrated interest, though their most recent CDS lists it as 'Considered'.
Save the energy
Focus on the core application and essays; Vassar officially states they do not track demonstrated interest, so extra engagement is unnecessary.
Provenance