Barnard College Tuition and Fees
By Susan Guillory
(Last Updated – 06/2023)
Total Cost of Attendance
Barnard College, located in New York City, is a private liberal arts college for women. It’s known for being among the most selective schools in the country. Barnard tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $62,525. Compared to the national average tuition of $37,641 at private schools, this is quite a bit higher.
Costs for 2022-2023
|
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
|
Tuition & Fees |
$62,525 |
$62,525 |
|
Books & Supplies |
$1,150 |
$1,150 |
|
Room & Board |
$19,364 |
$19,364 |
|
Other Expenses |
$1,370 |
$1,370 |
|
Total Cost of Attendance |
$84,409 |
$84,409 |
Financial Aid
At Barnard, nearly half (46%) of students receive one or more types of financial aid, including student loans, grants, and scholarships.
Barnard is need-blind, meaning that the school does not consider a student’s ability to pay for education during the application process.
Explore financial aid options: New York Student Loan & Scholarships.
Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.
The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:
• Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.
• Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.
• Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.
• Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.
Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.
You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:
• US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state
• College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid
Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Private Student Loans
Of the students who use financial aid to help with the Barnard tuition, 32% have federal loans and 7% take out private student loans averaging $13,974.
Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.
What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.
Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.
If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.
Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans
Projected 4-Year-Degree Price
To attend Barnard College for four years, the total cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses, based on 2022-23 numbers, would total $337,636. This is significantly higher than the average four-year cost at a private university of $218,004.
Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
Costs for 2022-23
|
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
|
Tuition & Fees |
$62,525 |
$62,525 |
|
Room & Board |
$19,364 |
$19,364 |
|
Total Cost of Attendance |
$81,889 |
$81,889 |
The total cost for undergraduate Barnard tuition and fees, plus room and board, in 2022-23 was $81,889.
Graduate Tuition and Fees
Barnard tuition and fees for graduate school are not available. Those who choose to attend Barnard for graduate school may use graduate loans to help with the cost of attendance.
Campus Housing Expenses
Costs for 2022-23
|
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
|
Books & Supplies |
$1,150 |
$1,150 |
|
Room & Board |
$19,364 |
$2,892/mo* |
|
Other Expenses |
$1,370 |
$1,370 |
*Average rate based on available studio apartments on Barnard’s off-campus housing website in 2023.
Barnard students are not required to live on campus, though many do. There are on-campus residence halls specifically for first-year residents, upperclass students, and students of the Jewish Theological Seminary program.
For students who want to live off-campus, there are plenty of housing options nearby, including studios as well as apartments to share with other students.
Barnard College Acceptance Rate
Fall 2021
|
Number of Applications |
Number Accepted |
Percentage Accepted |
10,395 |
1,143 |
11% |
The Barnard College acceptance rate is just 11%. This makes the Barnard acceptance rate very selective.
Admission Requirements
This is what’s required for the application process at Barnard College.
Required:
• High school transcript
• Writing supplement
• Secondary school report and high school profile
• High school counselor letter of recommendation
• Two teacher letters of recommendation
Recommended:
• Additional letter of recommendation
• Supplementary portfolio
• SAT or ACT scores
The deadline for Early Decision is November 1, with a decision given by mid-December. The deadline for Regular Decision is January 4, with a decision given by late March.
SAT and ACT Scores
While standardized test scores aren’t currently required to apply to Barnard, it can be helpful to know how admitted students scored.
|
Subject |
25th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
|
SAT Evidence-Based |
710 |
770 |
|
SAT Math |
715 |
780 |
|
ACT Composite |
32 |
34 |
|
ACT English |
34 |
36 |
|
ACT Math |
28 |
34 |
Popular Majors at Barnard College
Barnard offers a wide range of undergraduate programs, with a heavy emphasis on the liberal arts. These are the most popular programs.
1. Economics
The Economics program is Barnard’s most popular program, with five different majors to choose from: Economics, Political Economy, Economics and Mathematics, Economics and Social History, or Economics-Statistics.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 66
2. Psychology
Students in this program take courses like Behavioral Research Methods and Analysis, Psychology of Learning, Personality, Developmental Psych, and Clinical Psychology. They also have the opportunity to complete a capstone project and take independent study courses.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 57
3. Political Science
The Political Science degree program teaches social scientific reasoning and theory application. It also encompasses four subfields: Political Theory, American Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 55
4. English
English majors have the opportunity to develop their writing and speaking skills, and gain heightened understanding of culturally significant texts.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 52
5. Art History
Art History students at Barnard dive into classes on ancient art, architecture, and art on every continent.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 40
6. Neuroscience
Not only do students in this program study neuroscience and behavior, but they also have the opportunity to choose a concentration of Behavioral Neuroscience or Cellular, and can work with faculty in laboratories.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 40
7. History
History majors will take courses like European History; Colonialism and Nationalism in South Asia; History of Capitalism; Merchants, Pirates, and Slaves in the Making of Atlantic Capitalism; and Women, Race, and Class.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 36
8. Urban Studies
Urban Studies majors learn about the social, political, economic, and cultural influences on a society through coursework like Neighborhood and Community Development; Urban Environmental Justice; Race, Space, and Urban Schools; and Housing Equity and the American Dream.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 34
9. Computer Science
Students in this program learn to develop computation and data analysis skills, as well as prepare for careers in technology. They take courses in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, computational complexity and the analysis of algorithms, computer communications, and more.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 33
10. Sociology
Students in sociology develop critical analytic and research skills relating to public policy, social and political debate, and civic engagement. This can help them in the fields of business, law, education, and public policy, among others.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 25
Graduation Rate
Here are the graduation rates at Barnard College:
• 4 years: 85%
• 6 years: 93%
• 8 years: 93%
Post-Graduation Median Earnings
After completing an undergraduate degree from Barnard College, you can expect to earn on average $74,000 per year, which is substantially higher than the national average for undergraduates of $50,391.
Bottom Line
Barnard offers a top-notch liberal arts education for women. And because the Barnard acceptance rate is low, if you’re accepted to the school, you’ll be among the cream of the crop. While Barnard tuition is expensive, the school is need-blind, so your family financial situation won’t affect your likelihood of acceptance. Plus, there are different options for financial aid to help you pay for your education.
Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
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