<p>Thanks to D’yer Maker for these figures. I’m glad to know the picture is looking less bleak at Bennington these days–it’s an institution with a distinguished history, which I certainly hope can and will succeed. But the latest figure I’ve found for its endowment (2010, [Bennington</a> College | Best College | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bennington-college-3682]Bennington”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bennington-college-3682) ) is just over $14M. Just to make the per-student comparison:</p>
<p>Oberlin: $700M endowment / 2800 students = $250,000 per student
College of Wooster (since DCObie brought it up): $247.5M endowment /2000 students = $123,750 per student
Bennington: $14M endowment / 759 students = $18,445 per student</p>
<p>As D’yer Maker suggests, it certainly wouldn’t make sense to make financial strength the sole factor (or even a crucial one) in choosing a college. But I do believe it can make a difference in the educational experience an institution is able to offer.</p>