Barnard Admission Requirements
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Barnard Admission Overview
Barnard admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in New York. Last year Barnard admitted 8.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1470-1560 / ACT 32-34. Barnard is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Barnard is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Barnard Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Extreme
Admission difficulty for Barnard College
Acceptance Rate
The Barnard acceptance rate is 8.8%. Last year, only 1,046 of 11,836 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 28th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Barnard and can you get accepted?
Barnard is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 69% enrolled. That suggests Barnard is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Barnard GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Estimated High School GPA CollegeSimply estimate of incoming freshman GPA on a 4.0 scale.
3.85*Typical High School Grades Letter grade for the estimated average, not a cutoff.
AEstimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.85*
Average GPA
Barnard has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.85 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.85 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Barnard is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
*3.85 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.
Barnard Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Barnard College is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle, covering students applying for Fall 2027. You may submit SAT or ACT scores or apply without them, and no other materials are requested in place of scores. First-year applicants may self-report scores; admitted students who enroll must send official reports. Barnard superscores both exams, accepts the new ACT, and does not require the ACT Science or Writing sections. English proficiency testing remains separate for applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://barnard.edu/admissions/testing
Barnard SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1470-1560Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
35%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 730
- Math 740
- Composite 1470
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 770
- Math 790
- Composite 1560
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Barnard typically score around a 1520 SAT (middle 50% 1470–1560) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Barnard ranks #4 in the state of New York and #29 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1470 to 1560
Matching last year's 1470–1560 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
Barnard is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Barnard ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
32-34Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
15%25th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 29
- Composite 32
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 34
- Composite 34
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Barnard typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Barnard places #6 among colleges in New York and #48 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 34
Landing in last year's 32–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to Barnard without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
89% of Barnard College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Barnard chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Barnard College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 4, 2027Days left to Apply
126Applicants have 126 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 4, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Barnard College is $75.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Barnard is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 8.8% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1470-1560); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Barnard College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=189097.
GPA calculator: Barnard College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026