Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs Georgetown University
- Barnard Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 18
- Georgetown Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Barnard College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Barnard College's $28,800. Students who choose Barnard College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,516 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Barnard
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,800, roughly $12,015 a year less
- 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
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 29% more than Barnard College
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). 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 Georgetown University over Barnard College. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Barnard College over Georgetown University. Net price $28,800 vs $40,815.
Pick Barnard College over Georgetown University. 3.5% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and Georgetown 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 Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,487.
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, Barnard College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,800, about $12,015 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $18,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,060 before any change in aid. Choosing Barnard College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 29% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 29% 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 Georgetown University, it is 1.9%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
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 Barnard College to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Barnard College saves about $12,015 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $22,978 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Barnard College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while Georgetown University leans toward Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,000, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Barnard College has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Barnard College's $28,800.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 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 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Barnard offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Barnard, where only about 54% 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
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.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 29% of Barnard's student body and 36% of Georgetown's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Barnard) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while Georgetown University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. 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 Georgetown University?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or Georgetown University?
Barnard College is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,800 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Barnard College or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or Georgetown University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 93%.
Barnard College vs Georgetown 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 1.9%.
Should you choose Barnard College or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Barnard College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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