Bard College vs. Barnard

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Barnard College is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Bard College vs. Barnard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Barnard? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Barnard College than Bard College ($26,407 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 13.2% lower than at Barnard College ($18,852 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $3,452 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Barnard than at Bard College (about $3,452 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Barnard College (74% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($63,131 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Barnard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Barnard? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Barnard and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 160 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Barnard College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Barnard College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Barnard - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Bard College vs. Barnard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Barnard? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Barnard College earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $8,347 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($17,847 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($184 vs. $270).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.