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Barnard College

#4 Best Psychology Colleges in New York
Private nonprofit New York, NY · Urban · Mid-Atlantic · 100% data
A+ Selectivity A+ Graduation A Earnings
Graduation Rate
93% A+
Most students who enroll finish their degree here
Earnings (10yr)
$80,516 A
Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
Net Price
$28,800 F
68% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
9% A+
Rejects about 91 of every 100 applicants
Earnings +97% vs avg
Graduation +63% vs avg
Net Price 68% vs avg
Mobility Top 6%

Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 20.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Psychology Colleges in New York.

20.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,260,975.

What The Data Says

  1. A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Graduates earn 97% more than the national college median.

  3. A 93% graduation rate — 63% above the national average.

  4. Social mobility rate of 3.45% — an engine of upward economic mobility.

  5. Admits just 9% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.

Economic Footprint

Inventor Rate
0.4%
Top 51%
Patents
9
Linked to graduates
Patent Citations
18
Downstream influence

Why Barnard College Matters

Barnard College is a private liberal arts college in New York, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Liberal Arts College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
Enrollment
3,264
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Computer Science & IT

Why students choose Barnard College

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Highly selective peer group
Surrounded by exceptionally high-achieving students
Exceptional earning outcomes
Graduate earnings in the top 4% of colleges
Engine of upward mobility
A strong record of moving students up the income ladder
Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B
Top 23% overall
A
Earnings
$80,516 median
C+
Value
2.8× net price
F
Affordability
$28,800/yr net
A+
Graduation
93% graduate
A
Social Mobility
3.5% climb Q1→Q5
A+
Selectivity
9% admit rate
A
Diversity
0.79 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Highly selective
9% admit rate

Highly selective — admits about 9% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1470–1560. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

F
$28,800/yr net

Students pay about $28,800 a year after grants and scholarships — 68% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

A
$80,516 median

Graduates earn a median of $80,516 ten years after enrolling — 97% above the typical college, against $18,000 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

A
3.5% climb

Moves 3.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 6% nationally for mobility.

See mobility →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Barnard College attracts a driven and academically ambitious group of students. It's a great fit for those who are passionate about the liberal arts and sciences, and you’ll find a vibrant selection of programs here, including Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and the Visual and Performing Arts. The close-knit community in the heart of New York City offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and cultural experiences.

After graduation, Barnard alumni see impressive earnings, with a median income of $80,516 after ten years. This level of financial success is a clear indicator of the value of a Barnard degree in today’s job market. The school’s strong graduation rate of 93% speaks volumes about student support and engagement, making it likely that graduates will find their footing in a competitive landscape.

In terms of affordability, the net price after aid stands at $28,800, which is manageable given the potential earning power of graduates. With a median debt of $18,000, students tend to graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive here are often those who are not only academically inclined but also eager to engage with the diverse opportunities the city has to offer, making Barnard a launching pad for future success.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Barnard College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Barnard College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in New York, New York, Barnard College turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,520. The graduation rate is roughly 93%.

Acceptance Rate
9%
Retention Rate
97%
SAT Average
1520
ACT Midpoint
33
SAT Range
1470–1560
ACT Range
32–34
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$15,995
Student–Faculty Ratio
10:1
Diversity Index
0.79
First-Gen Students
16%
Applicants
12,009
Admitted
1,056

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Barnard College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Barnard College is $69,888, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,800. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,600 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$69,888
Out-of-State
$69,888
Avg Net Price
$28,800
Median Debt
$18,000
Pell Grant Rate
16%
Federal Loan Rate
26%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$11,600
Family Income $30K–$48K
$15,374
Family Income $48K–$75K
$19,094
Family Income $110K+
$51,378

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Barnard College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Barnard College earn a median of $80,516, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

6 Years After Entry
$60,411
8 Years
$80,465
10 Years
$80,516
Debt-to-Earnings
0.22x
Earning > $25K
76%

Earnings Trajectory

$60,411 6yr $80,465 8yr $80,516 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (510)
85%
100% (510)
85%
100% (510)
85%
100% (510)
85%

How Barnard Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation93%Earnings 10yr$81KNet Price$29KRetention97%Median Debt$18KPell Grant Rate16%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$15K$30-48K$19K$48-75K$51K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%6.5%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%52.8%MOBILITY3.45%

College ROI Calculator

Is Barnard College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Barnard College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,800/year ($115,200 total). Graduates earn $80,516 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,376,175 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,260,975 (20.6× your investment). The median debt is $18,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 93% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$115,200
Projected 20yr Earnings
$2,376,175
Net Return
$2,260,975
ROI Multiple
20.6×
Cost Per Year
$28,800
Median Debt
$18,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
93%
Explore all Barnard College ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does Barnard College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Barnard College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.45%, among the highest in the country. About 6.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $148,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
3.45%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
52.8%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
6.5%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$148,000

Innovation & Knowledge Creation

Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education

Barnard College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 9 patents tied to its graduates.

Inventor Rate
0.43%
Top 51% nationally
Patents Produced
9
Linked to graduates
Patent Citations
18
Downstream influence
Inventors From Low-Income
0.63%
Bottom-20% families

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$9,888,000
Investment Income
$-3,828,000

Top Programs

The fields Barnard College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Barnard College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Barnard College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in New York, New York, Barnard College turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,520. The graduation rate is roughly 93%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Barnard College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Barnard College is $69,888, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,800. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,600 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.

Is Barnard College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Barnard College earn a median of $80,516, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

Does Barnard College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Barnard College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.45%, among the highest in the country. About 6.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $148,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

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