Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Niche: A+

Barnard College has a 8.0% acceptance rate. Barnard College is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in New York, NY, with a median SAT of 1520 and a median ACT of 34. The average net price is $28,800 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.

Admissions Statistics

Acceptance Rate

8.0%

12,000 applicants

SAT Median

1520

Combined score

ACT Median

34

Composite score

Avg Net Price

$28,800

After financial aid

SAT & ACT Scores at Barnard College

Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Barnard College (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT (total, 400–1600)143015201560
ACT (composite, 1–36)323434

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate

93.0%

Retention Rate

96.6%

Median Earnings (10yr)

$80,516

Student Body

3,264

Net Price by Family Income

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Barnard College:

Family IncomeAvg Net Price/Year
$0 – $30,000$11,600
$30,001 – $48,000$15,374
$48,001 – $75,000$19,094
$75,001 – $110,000$24,753
$110,000+$51,378

Top Majors at Barnard College

MajorDegrees Awarded
Social Sciences236
Biological & Biomedical Sciences126
Psychology99
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies66
Computer & Information Sciences61
Visual & Performing Arts52
English Language & Literature48
Area, Ethnic & Gender Studies34
History29
Physical Sciences16

Financial Aid at Barnard College

About Barnard College

Official website: https://www.barnard.edu/

Admissions: https://admissions.barnard.edu/

Frequently Asked Questions About Barnard College

What is the acceptance rate at Barnard College?

Barnard College has an acceptance rate of 8%. it received about 12,000 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1520; the average net price is $28,800 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Barnard College for free using your GPA and test scores.

How hard is it to get into Barnard College?

Getting into Barnard College is highly competitive — it admits 8% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1520. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Barnard College for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.

What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Barnard College?

Admitted students at Barnard College typically have a median SAT around 1520 and a median ACT around 34. With a 8% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Barnard College is located in New York, NY. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.

How much does it cost to attend Barnard College?

The average net price at Barnard College is $28,800 per year after grants and scholarships. about 45% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $58,759 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.

What is the graduation rate at Barnard College?

Barnard College has a graduation rate of 93%. its first-year retention rate is 97%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $80,516. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Barnard College against similar colleges on Admit Coach.

Is Barnard College test-optional?

For the 2025–26 cycle, Barnard College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1520. With a 8% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Barnard College's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.

Similar Colleges

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · 6% acceptance

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD · 6% acceptance

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH · 6% acceptance

Rice University

Houston, TX · 8% acceptance

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · 7% acceptance

Brown University

Providence, RI · 5% acceptance

More Colleges in NY

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · 4% acceptance

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · 7% acceptance

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · 14% acceptance

New York University

New York, NY · 8% acceptance

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · 17% acceptance

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · 18% acceptance

Explore More

All 3,500+ universities · Most affordable colleges · Best value colleges · Test-optional colleges · Engineering programs · Computer science programs · Highest graduation rates · Compare planning tools

Check Your Admission Chances at Barnard College — Free