Brandeis University vs. Barnard

Deciding between Brandeis University and Barnard College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Brandeis University
Barnard College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Barnard #35
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Barnard -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Barnard Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Barnard
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Barnard 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Barnard Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Barnard 32/34
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Barnard 1470/1560
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Barnard $184
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Barnard 2%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Barnard 98%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Barnard High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Barnard No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Barnard 53%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Barnard 14%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Barnard 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Barnard 12%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Barnard 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Barnard 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Barnard 6%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Barnard 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Barnard 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Barnard 20%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Barnard 62%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Barnard Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Brandeis University No
  • Barnard No
  • Meal Plan
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Barnard Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Brandeis University No
  • Barnard No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Brandeis University No
  • Barnard No

Comparable Facts

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

Brandeis University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Brandeis University vs. Barnard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University ($26,407 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 8.2% lower than at Barnard College ($19,944 vs. $21,714).
  • Barnard College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Brandeis University (about $1,808 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $68,080.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Barnard than at Brandeis University (about $1,808 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $68,080.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Barnard College (62% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 47.4% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($63,131 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. Barnard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 60 points higher than at Brandeis University (1460).
  • Incoming Barnard students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Brandeis University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Barnard College 1470/1560.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Barnard College 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; Barnard - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Barnard students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (40.5%) than Barnard (8.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Brandeis University vs. Barnard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University's (91%).
  • Graduates from Barnard College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Brandeis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,900 vs. $66,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($184 vs. $279).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.