Barnard vs. RPI

Barnard College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Barnard College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $38,887 at RPI.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
Barnard $12,480 less
Barnard$26,407
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
RPI $5,807 less
Barnard$69,888
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $5,807 less
Barnard$69,888
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
Barnard +8 pts
Barnard92%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$15,600
Barnard$66,900
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 16.6% lower than at Barnard College ($18,120 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Barnard than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $5,807 more per year; $69,888 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Barnard College (95% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 45.1% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($63,131 vs. $43,517).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Barnard than at RPI (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,653 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($184 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barnard students, three years after graduation (92% 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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