AU vs. Barnard

American University and Barnard College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

American University Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
AU62%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
AU1280-1460
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Barnard $13,269 less
AU$39,676
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
AU $11,117 less
AU$58,771
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
AU $11,117 less
AU$58,771
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Barnard +15 pts
AU77%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$2,100
AU$64,800
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 17.2% lower than at Barnard College ($17,982 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at Barnard than at American University (about $11,117 more per year; $69,888 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Barnard College (67% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 73.7% larger than aid received by American University students ($63,131 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Barnard than at AU (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $6,403 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($17,847 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($184 vs. $250).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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