Barnard vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Barnard College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Barnard vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr ($26,407 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bryn Mawr College are 10.7% lower than at Barnard College ($19,400 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $3,968 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Barnard than at Bryn Mawr College (about $3,968 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Barnard College (72% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 26.2% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($63,131 vs. $50,029).

Barnard vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 120 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Barnard students have the same average high school GPA (3.85) as students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Barnard vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Barnard College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,900 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $8,153 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($17,847 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($184 vs. $268).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.