CAMPUS · NEW YORK, NY · PRIVATE

Barnard College

8.0%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Barnard College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

8.0%

of 11,803 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$80,516

across all majors

Barnard College at a Glance

3,685

Total Enrollment

$18,000

Median Debt

15.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Barnard College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	723	770	746
SAT Math	730	780	755
SAT Total	1453	1550	1501
ACT Composite	32	34	33

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	11,803
Students Admitted	940
Students Enrolled	711
Yield Rate	75.6%

Barnard College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#14	2025

Barnard College Overview

Barnard College is a private university in New York, NY with 3,685 students. With a 8.0% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Psychology.

Full Name	Barnard College
Location	New York, NY 10027-6598
Type	Private
Website	barnard.edu/
Total Enrollment	3,685
Undergrad Enrollment	3,685
Female Students	96.0%

Is Barnard College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 8.0%, Barnard College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Barnard College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Barnard College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

28.7%

Biological Sciences

12.6%

Psychology

9.1%

Visual/Performing Arts

7.3%

English/Literature

7.0%

Best Majors at Barnard College →

Student Demographics

White

32.6%

Black/African American

5.5%

Hispanic/Latino

18.6%

Asian

17.2%

International

13.4%

How to Get Into Barnard College

Barnard is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1501+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Barnard wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1501

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

8.0%

Acceptance Rate

11,803

Total Applicants

What Barnard College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Barnard College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Barnard College ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Jan 1

Early Decision: Barnard College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Barnard College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barnard College

What is Barnard's acceptance rate?

Barnard has an acceptance rate of 8.0%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Barnard?

The middle 50% SAT range at Barnard is 1453-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 32-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Barnard?

The most popular majors at Barnard by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (28.7%), Biological Sciences (12.6%), Psychology (9.1%), Visual/Performing Arts (7.3%), English/Literature (7.0%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Barnard?

Barnard accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.