Princeton vs. Barnard

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

Princeton University
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Princeton University Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Princeton $11,094 less
Princeton$15,313
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Princeton $7,200 less
Princeton$62,688
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Princeton $7,200 less
Princeton$62,688
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Princeton +4 pts
Princeton96%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$47,000
Princeton$113,900
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Princeton Check my chances at Barnard
  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 6.7% lower than at Barnard College ($20,250 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at Barnard than at Princeton University (about $7,200 more per year; $69,888 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Barnard College (67% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($68,727 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Princeton than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $10,347 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($77 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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.

Princeton University
Barnard College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges