Barnard vs. Cornell

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

Barnard College
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,407 at Barnard vs $26,361 at Cornell. Barnard in-state tuition is about $574 more per year.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Barnard8.8%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Barnard1470-1560
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
About even
Barnard$26,407
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Cornell $574 less
Barnard$69,888
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Cornell $574 less
Barnard$69,888
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Cornell +1 pts
Barnard92%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$31,500
Barnard$66,900
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 10.5% lower than at Barnard College ($19,428 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Barnard than at Cornell University (about $574 more per year; $69,888 vs. $69,314).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Barnard College (48% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 2.2% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($63,131 vs. $61,779).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Cornell than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Barnard, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $5,847 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($12,000 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($124 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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