Northeastern vs. Barnard

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

Northeastern University
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Northeastern University Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Northeastern1440-1540
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Barnard $7,800 less
Northeastern$34,207
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Northeastern $3,726 less
Northeastern$66,162
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Northeastern $3,726 less
Northeastern$66,162
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Barnard +15 pts
Northeastern77%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northeastern +$2,600
Northeastern$69,500
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Northeastern Check my chances at Barnard
  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 9.8% lower than at Barnard College ($19,580 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Barnard than at Northeastern University (about $3,726 more per year; $69,888 vs. $66,162).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Barnard College (66% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($63,131 vs. $50,421).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northeastern than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $10,028 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($184 vs. $288).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 79%).

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.

Northeastern University
Barnard College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges