Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs Villanova University
- Barnard Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 14
- Villanova Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Barnard College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,800 vs Villanova University's $43,756, Barnard College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Barnard College'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
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,800, roughly $14,956 a year less
- 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
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than Barnard College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over Barnard College. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Barnard College over Villanova University. Net price $28,800 vs $43,756.
Pick Barnard College over Villanova University. 3.5% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and Villanova University are close on paper, but Barnard College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Villanova University takes 27%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,460.
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 $14,956 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of Barnard College also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $59,824 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, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Barnard College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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 Villanova University, it is 1.3%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
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 Villanova 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 $14,956 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $19,907 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 Villanova University leans toward Business & Marketing, Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Villanova University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Barnard College has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above Barnard College's $28,800.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,874, against $18,000 at Barnard College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Villanova University's enrollment of 6,938 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 28% at Villanova — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Villanova (54.2% Early Decision admit rate vs 33.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Villanova, where only about 28% 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.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Barnard's top program is Sociology (29% of enrollment), while Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
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 Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while Villanova University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions. 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 Villanova University?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 27% at Villanova University.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or Villanova University?
Barnard College is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,800 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do Barnard College or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or Villanova University?
Barnard College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 92%.
Barnard College vs Villanova 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 1.3%.
Should you choose Barnard College or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Barnard College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova 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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