Northeastern vs. Barnard

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Northeastern vs. Barnard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern ($26,407 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 9.8% lower than at Barnard College ($19,580 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $3,726 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Barnard than at Northeastern University (about $3,726 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Barnard College (66% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($63,131 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Barnard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 30 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Barnard College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Barnard College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Barnard - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Barnard (3.85).
• Barnard has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Northeastern vs. Barnard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $10,028 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($184 vs. $288).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern 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.