Amherst vs. Barnard

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

Amherst College
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Amherst9%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Amherst $7,358 less
Amherst$19,049
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Barnard $592 less
Amherst$70,480
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Barnard $592 less
Amherst$70,480
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
Amherst96%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$15,100
Amherst$82,000
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 15.3% lower than at Barnard College ($18,390 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Amherst than at Barnard College (about $592 more per year; $70,480 vs. $69,888).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Barnard College (59% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 8.6% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($68,591 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $4,872 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($12,975 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($134 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

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