Barnard vs. Brown

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

Barnard College
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,407 at Barnard vs $26,256 at Brown. Brown in-state tuition is about $1,524 more per year.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Barnard8.8%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Barnard1470-1560
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
About even
Barnard$26,407
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
Barnard $1,524 less
Barnard$69,888
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
Barnard $1,524 less
Barnard$69,888
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Brown +3 pts
Barnard92%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$20,700
Barnard$66,900
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Brown University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 19.7% lower than at Barnard College ($17,444 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Brown than at Barnard College (about $1,524 more per year; $71,412 vs. $69,888).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Barnard College (52% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($63,131 vs. $61,392).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Brown than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Barnard, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brown average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $2,847 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($155 vs. $184).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barnard students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 89%).

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

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