Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs Colgate University
- Barnard Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 15
- Colgate Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colgate University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Barnard College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,800 compared to Colgate University's $28,786 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colgate University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 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
- 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
Colgate
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Barnard College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,786, roughly $14 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Colgate in Social Sciences (34%). 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 Colgate University over Barnard College. Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Colgate University over Barnard College. Net price $28,786 vs $28,800.
Pick Barnard College over Colgate University. 3.5% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and Colgate University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Barnard College is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Colgate University takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,508.
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, Colgate University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,786, about $14 a year below Barnard College's $28,800. Graduates of Colgate University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $18,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $56 before any change in aid. Choosing Colgate University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Colgate University graduates report median earnings of $85,139, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colgate University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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.
Moving people up
Barnard College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.5%; at Colgate University, it is 0.9%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.4%.
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 Colgate 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.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,000, against $15,000 at Colgate University.
No strong negative signals — Colgate competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Barnard holds onto its admits more tightly: 67% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Colgate — 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 19.5%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Colgate, where only about 37% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
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.
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Colgate University attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply with their studies. This school is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences. The tight-knit community and emphasis on critical thinking make it a place where students can really thrive.
After graduation, Colgate alums see an impressive median earnings of $85,139 after ten years. This strong financial outcome reflects not just the quality of education, but also the commitment of students to leverage their degrees in meaningful ways. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 13%, the majority of students manage to find success in their careers, illustrating that hard work and dedication pay off.
On the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $28,786, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $15,000 is relatively low, suggesting that most students graduate with a solid financial footing. Those who tend to thrive here are motivated individuals seeking a challenging academic environment and who value the connections made during their time at Colgate.
Rankings They Appear On
Barnard College and Colgate University appear together in 9 rankings. On the Best Biology Colleges in New York, Colgate University ranks #3 — Colgate University outranks Barnard College by 2 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 29% of Barnard's student body and 34% of Colgate's.
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 Colgate).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Barnard College or Colgate University?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 14% at Colgate University.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or Colgate University?
Colgate University is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,786 after aid versus $28,800 at Barnard College.
Do Barnard College or Colgate University graduates earn more?
Colgate University graduates earn more: median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or Colgate University?
Barnard College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 91%.
Barnard College vs Colgate 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 0.9%.
Should you choose Barnard College or Colgate University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colgate 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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How do Barnard and Colgate stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
