Barnard vs. Columbia

Barnard College and Columbia University in the City of New York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Barnard College
Columbia University in the City of New York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Columbia 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Columbia $107,600 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Barnard8.8%
Columbia4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Barnard1470-1560
Columbia1510-1580
Average net price
Columbia $3,887 less
Barnard$26,407
Columbia$22,520
In-state tuition
Barnard $1,957 less
Barnard$69,888
Columbia$71,845
Out-of-state tuition
Barnard $1,957 less
Barnard$69,888
Columbia$71,845
Graduation rate
Columbia +1 pts
Barnard92%
Columbia93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$40,700
Barnard$66,900
Columbia$107,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Columbia 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Columbia Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Columbia $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Columbia #22

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 19% lower than at Barnard College ($17,580 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Columbia than at Barnard College (about $1,957 more per year; $71,845 vs. $69,888).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Barnard College (52% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($67,010 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Columbia than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Columbia.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $3,653 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($17,847 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($184 vs. $222).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 76%).

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

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