Harvard vs Barnard College

When it comes to higher education, Harvard University and Barnard College stand out as two of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. While both offer world-class academics and a vibrant campus life, there are some key differences between the two that prospective students should consider. Harvard, a coeducational Ivy League research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a wider range of academic programs compared to Barnard, a private women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Barnard College logo

Barnard College

Harvard University logo

Harvard University

Overview

Location New York, New York Cambridge, Massachusetts
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
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% 96.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 11.5% 4.0%
Application fees $75
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $105
SAT range 1425 - 1550 1480 - 1580
ACT range 32 - 34 33 - 36
Students submitting SAT score 30.0% 54.0%
Students submitting ACT score 21.0% 31.0%
Total number of applicants 10,395 57,786
Total number of admissions given out 1,192 2,318
Admitted students who chose to enroll 769 1,951
Yield rate 64.5% 84.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $80,693 $78,028
Average net price $28,366 $13,910
Tuition $57,734 $51,143
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,206

Meal plan: $7,280
Room/dormitory: $11,705

Meal plan: $7,236
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

36.0%
Average amount $44,482
56.0%
Average amount $59,840
Students receiving federal student loan 32.0%
Average amount $1,946
3.0%
Average amount $5,180
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $13,974
2.0%
Average amount $8,080

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,043
Men 0.3% Women 99.7%
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0%
Graduate students N/A 21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 70.3% N/A
International students 12.6% 23.9%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 2,411 12,874
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New York California New Jersey Mississippi Texas New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio 10:1 7:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 92.8% 96.7%
Dropout rate 2.7% 2.0%
Transferred out 4.3% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,217
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $87,791
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,807
  • Year 2: $47,846
  • Year 3: $67,484
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,701
  • Year 2: $50,856
  • Year 3: $60,852
Urban Studies/Affairs (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,271
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $55,821
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $49,646
  • Year 3: $53,521
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $41,937
  • Year 3: $52,302
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,848
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $50,891
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,983
  • Year 2: $39,648
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,340
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,675
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: N/A
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,193
  • Year 2: $128,716
  • Year 3: $240,408
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $184,307
  • Year 2: $165,340
  • Year 3: $199,043
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $171,333
  • Year 2: $171,907
  • Year 3: $187,553
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $140,072
  • Year 2: $128,737
  • Year 3: $163,896
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $151,371
  • Year 2: $174,023
  • Year 3: $163,512
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $123,508
  • Year 2: $117,916
  • Year 3: $129,281
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $121,832
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $102,707
  • Year 2: $90,856
  • Year 3: $121,771
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,905
  • Year 2: $98,670
  • Year 3: $107,389
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,745
  • Year 2: $71,486
  • Year 3: $106,375

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