Harvard vs. Barnard

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

Harvard University
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Harvard $8,882 less
Harvard$17,525
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Harvard $8,212 less
Harvard$61,676
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $8,212 less
Harvard$61,676
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Harvard +5 pts
Harvard97%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$69,800
Harvard$136,700
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harvard University are 2.4% lower than at Barnard College ($21,190 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Barnard than at Harvard University (about $8,212 more per year; $69,888 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvard University than at Barnard College (56% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($68,015 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Harvard than at Barnard (35 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $11,347 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($6,500 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($67 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 70%).

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

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