Barnard vs. Vassar

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

Barnard College
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 18.6%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $29,981 at Vassar.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
Barnard $3,574 less
Barnard$26,407
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Barnard $1,142 less
Barnard$69,888
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Barnard $1,142 less
Barnard$69,888
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Barnard +1 pts
Barnard92%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$8,500
Barnard$66,900
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

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

Barnard College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 16% lower than at Barnard College ($18,240 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Vassar than at Barnard College (about $1,142 more per year; $71,030 vs. $69,888).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Barnard College (55% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($63,131 vs. $57,443).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vassar than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vassar average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $2,067 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($15,780 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($163 vs. $184).
  • More Vassar 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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