Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
‍Established: 1861
‍Enrollment: ~2,500
‍Admit Rate: 18.6% (Class of 2028)
‍Yield Rate: 29%
‍Endowment: $1.3 Billion
‍Academic Calendar: Semester
‍School Colors: Rose and Gray, #860038
‍School Mascot: Brewers
‍Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $73,275 USD (2025–26 Tuition)
‍Typical SAT Scores: Reading and Writing 710–760, Math 720–780
‍Motto: Purity and Wisdom
‍Notable: One of the Seven Sisters (and the first to become co-ed); no core curriculum, only a "Quantitative" and "Foreign Language" requirement.

Formerly all-female, forever independent, and academically fearless.

‍1. Quick Facts Snapshot
• Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
• Founded: 1861
• Enrollment: ~2,500
• Admit rate: 18.6% (Class of 2028)
• Yield rate: 29%
• Endowment: $1.3 Billion

‍2. Why This School Fits the Little Ivy Profile
• As one of the original Seven Sisters, Vassar has a legacy of top education. It turned down an offer to merge with Yale to stay independent and co-ed. It meets the profile with its forward-thinking curriculum and historic reputation.

‍3. Selectivity & Admissions
• Approx admit rate: 18.6%
• Selectivity trend: Stable; attracts a diverse, often arts-oriented and progressive applicant pool.
• SAT/ACT ranges: SAT 1410–1520

‍4. Academic Strengths
• Signature programs: Drama/Film; Art History; Astronomy.
• Faculty ratio: 8:1
• Key differentiator: No Core Curriculum. Vassar has no distribution requirements. Students must only complete a quantitative course, a language proficiency, and a freshman writing seminar.

‍5. Outcomes
• Salary or placement overview: Strong placement in arts, media, and academia.
• Alumni influence: Meryl Streep and Lisa Kudrow are alums; huge influence in Hollywood and theater.
• Where grads typically go: NYC theater/film industry, law school, and publishing.

‍6. Campus Culture
• Traditions: Founder’s Day. A massive carnival celebrating the founder Matthew Vassar (a brewer), with rides, music, and fireworks.
• Social environment: "Anything goes" fashion; very LGBTQ+ friendly; no Greek life.
• Notable athletics or arts strengths: The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center is a major museum; Quidditch and Rugby are popular club sports.

‍7. How It Compares
• [Vassar vs. Wesleyan: The Progressive Ivies]
• [Vassar vs. Barnard/Wellesley: The Seven Sisters Connection]

‍8. FAQs
• Is it still a women's college?
No, it has been co-ed since 1969.
• How do I get to NYC?
The Metro-North train station is close, offering a scenic ride along the Hudson to Grand Central.
• Is the campus enclosed?
It is a 1,000-acre arboretum campus, distinct from the surrounding city of Poughkeepsie.


Further Reading:
Vassar College Tuition & Fees
‍https://www.vassar.edu/financialaid/costs
Vassar College Common Data Set
‍https://www.vassar.edu/institutionalresearch/common-data-set
Vassar College Academics – Curriculum & Requirements
‍https://www.vassar.edu/academics
Vassar College Career Outcomes
‍https://www.vassar.edu/career-outcomes
Vassar College Student Life & Traditions
‍https://www.vassar.edu/studentlife
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar
‍https://www.vassar.edu/fllac