Barnard vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Barnard vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Barnard ($25,186 vs. $26,407).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Barnard College are 1.5% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,714 vs. $22,054).
• Barnard College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $2,390 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Barnard than at Vanderbilt University (about $2,390 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Barnard College (67% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 2% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($64,404 vs. $63,131).

Barnard vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard or Vanderbilt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vanderbilt and Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Barnard (1520).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Barnard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Barnard College 1470/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Barnard College 32/34; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Barnard (3.85).
• Barnard has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Barnard vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard and Vanderbilt? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at Barnard is the same as at Vanderbilt University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $3,847 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,847).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($144 vs. $184).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.