MIT vs. Barnard

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Barnard College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIT (4.5% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: MIT. Average net price is $20,996 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: MIT 93% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MIT $142,100 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Barnard College
Acceptance rate
MIT more selective
MIT4.5%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MIT higher
MIT1520-1580
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
MIT $5,411 less
MIT$20,996
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
MIT $7,492 less
MIT$62,396
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
MIT $7,492 less
MIT$62,396
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
MIT +1 pts
MIT93%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
MIT +$75,200
MIT$142,100
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MIT 28,232
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • MIT 1,284
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • MIT 4.5%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MIT 85.8%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MIT 1550
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • MIT 35
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • MIT 3.96
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • MIT A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • MIT Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • MIT Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • MIT 1520-1580
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • MIT 34-36
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • MIT Required
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MIT Jan 1, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • MIT $20,280
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • MIT $20,996
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • MIT $61,734
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MIT 59%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • MIT 93%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MIT $142,100
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • MIT 92%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MIT $17,316
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • MIT $179
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MIT 3:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • MIT
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (13%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • MIT Cambridge, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • MIT Midsize City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • MIT 11,886
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • MIT Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MIT #8
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 6.6% lower than at Barnard College ($20,280 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at Barnard than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $7,492 more per year; $69,888 vs. $62,396).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Barnard College (59% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($63,131 vs. $61,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at MIT than at Barnard (35 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at MIT, test optional at Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MIT average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $531 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($17,316 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($179 vs. $184).
  • More MIT 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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