Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs Boston University
- Barnard Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 20
- Boston Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Boston University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Barnard College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,800 compared to Boston University's $24,402 for in-state paths. Students who choose Boston University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $83,238 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Barnard
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Barnard College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,402, roughly $4,398 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Boston in Business & Marketing (16%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Boston University over Barnard College. Median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Boston University over Barnard College. Net price $24,402 vs $28,800.
Pick Barnard College over Boston University. 3.5% mobility rate vs 2%.
Pick Barnard College over Boston University. 93% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and Boston University are close on paper, but Barnard College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Barnard College is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Boston University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Barnard College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Boston University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,402, about $4,398 a year below Barnard College's $28,800. Graduates of Barnard College also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $17,592 before any change in aid. Choosing Boston University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston University graduates report median earnings of $83,238, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Barnard College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Barnard College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Barnard College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.5%; at Boston University, it is 2%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Barnard College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Boston University to keep costs and debt down; pick Barnard College if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Barnard College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while Boston University leans toward Business & Marketing, Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,800 runs well above Boston University's $24,402.
- Business and consulting-track students: Barnard College has less business program depth, and Boston University offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $18,000 at Barnard College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Barnard College's 3,264.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Barnard holds onto its admits more tightly: 67% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Barnard (33.1% Early Decision admit rate vs 31.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Barnard College
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
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.
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
Rankings They Appear On
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Barnard's top program is Sociology (29% of enrollment), while Boston leads with Business Administration (16%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Barnard) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Boston).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while Boston University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Communications. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Barnard College or Boston University?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 11% at Boston University.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or Boston University?
Boston University is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,402 after aid versus $28,800 at Barnard College.
Do Barnard College or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or Boston University?
Barnard College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 89%.
Barnard College vs Boston University: which is better for social mobility?
Barnard College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.5% versus 2%.
Should you choose Barnard College or Boston University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Boston University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Barnard College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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