Barnard College vs Wheaton College
Barnard College and Wheaton College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences for aspiring undergraduates. Barnard, a women's college affiliated with Columbia University, boasts a vibrant campus in the heart of New York City, while Wheaton, a coeducational liberal arts college, is nestled in the charming town of Norton, Massachusetts. With acceptance rates of 12% and 29%, respectively, both colleges are highly selective, attracting academically accomplished students from diverse backgrounds. While Barnard's student body is predominantly female, Wheaton's is more evenly balanced, with a slightly higher percentage of female students. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional colleges, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.
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![]() Barnard College |
![]() Wheaton College |
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Overview |
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Location | New York, New York | Wheaton, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 11.5% | 86.3% |
Application fees | $75 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 1425 - 1550 | 1250 - 1430 |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 30.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 25.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,395 | 1,993 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,192 | 1,719 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 769 | 546 |
Yield rate | 64.5% | 31.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,693 | $54,700 |
Average net price | $28,366 | $28,319 |
Tuition | $57,734 | $40,570 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,206
Meal plan:
$7,280
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Room/dormitory:
$6,640
Meal plan:
$4,660
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
36.0%
Average amount $44,482 |
91.0%
Average amount $23,469 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
32.0%
Average amount $1,946 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,169 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $13,974 |
5.0%
Average amount $15,404 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,043
Men 0.3% Women 99.7% |
2,341
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
706
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 70.3% | N/A |
International students | 12.6% | 5.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,411 | 2,153 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Mississippi Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.8% | 87.6% |
Dropout rate | 2.7% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | 4.3% | 9.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Urban Studies/Affairs (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
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