Barnard vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Barnard College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Barnard vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College ($26,407 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 19.4% lower than at Barnard College ($17,510 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $928 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Barnard than at Hamilton College (about $928 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Barnard College (56% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($63,131 vs. $55,511).

Barnard vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College and Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 20 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Barnard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Barnard (3.85).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Barnard vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard and Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $2,087 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($15,760 vs. $17,847).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($162 vs. $184).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barnard students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.