Barnard College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
New York, New York · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Barnard College is a private nonprofit university in New York, New York that admits about 9% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $28,800 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Research and Experimental Psychology and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 93% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Barnard College is a private institution located in New York, New York and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Barnard College admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 9%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1510 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,800 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Barnard College?
55% of enrolled students at Barnard College had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.13, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Barnard College weight in admissions?
Barnard College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Class rank
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores Barnard College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 740–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 740. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1480 |
| 50th percentile | 1510 |
| 75th percentile | 1540 |
| % submitting SAT | 35% |
| 25th percentile | 32 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 15% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 90% |
| Top 25% of class | 100% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
| % submitting class rank | 30% |
How much does Barnard College actually cost?
Published tuition is $69,888 for in-state students and $69,888 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $21,714 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,800 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $70,644 |
| Room and board | $22,691 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $28,800 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Barnard College
| Regular deadline | January 1 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 26% |
Will my child graduate from Barnard College?
These predict outcomes at Barnard College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Barnard College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Barnard College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Research and Experimental Psychology and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, Barnard College confers roughly 466 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $136,964 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 92 | $136,964 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 76 | — |
| Political Science and Government | 70 | $95,608 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 60 | $66,870 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 44 | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 43 | $76,392 |
| History | 41 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 40 | — |
Is Barnard College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Barnard College disclosed 4 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Barnard College
Common questions parents ask about Barnard College
What GPA do I need for Barnard College?
55% of enrolled students at Barnard College had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.13, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Barnard College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 740–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 740. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34.
How much does Barnard College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Barnard College after grants and scholarships is $28,800 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $69,888. Budget against the net figure.
Is Barnard College realistic for my child?
Barnard College admits 9% of applicants, so 740–790 SAT Math is target range and below 740 is a reach. Then check the $28,800 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Barnard College?
Barnard College accepts about 9% of applicants out of roughly 11,836 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is Barnard College test-optional?
Yes. Barnard College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Barnard College?
About 93% of students at Barnard College graduate within six years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Barnard College?
Barnard College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 26%, compared with its overall rate of 9%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Barnard College look for in applicants?
Barnard College rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Barnard College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Barnard College is a private nonprofit institution located in New York, New York.
What are the most popular majors at Barnard College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Barnard College by annual graduates are Economics, Research and Experimental Psychology and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 466 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Barnard College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Barnard College reported 4 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Barnard College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers