BU vs. Barnard

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

Boston University
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 11.1%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Boston University Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
BU11.1%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
BU1420-1530
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
BU $1,987 less
BU$24,420
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
BU $1,786 less
BU$68,102
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
BU $1,786 less
BU$68,102
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Barnard +7 pts
BU85%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$5,100
BU$72,000
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at BU and Barnard with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at BU Check my chances at Barnard
  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 12.4% lower than at Barnard College ($19,020 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Barnard than at Boston University (about $1,786 more per year; $69,888 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Barnard College (49% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Boston University students ($63,131 vs. $61,848).

Admissions details

  • Incoming BU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Barnard (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($184 vs. $279).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 82%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Boston University
Barnard College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges