About Barnard College

Founded in 1889, Barnard College. is a Private college. Located in New York, which is a city setting in New York, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 2,510 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Barnard College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 217 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Barnard College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate16%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee75
SAT Range1270-1470
ACT Range29-33

Admissions at are considered Most Selective, with ,22% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 99% were in the top quarter, and 81% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Barnard College.

1%
“We”re apathetic”
6%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
36%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
5%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
56%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
69%
“I feel extremely safe”
86%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
11%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
51%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
36%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
34%
“They”re always available”
19%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
68%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
14%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
69%
“We only party on weekends”
6%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
58%
“There might be people who do”
34%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
6%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
36%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
5%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
56%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
69%
“I feel extremely safe”
86%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
11%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
51%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
36%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
34%
“They”re always available”
19%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
68%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
14%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
69%
“We only party on weekends”
6%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
58%
“There might be people who do”
34%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Barnard College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    40 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    25 Students rated off-campus housing 2.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    41 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    40 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    41 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    40 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    41 Students rated local services 4.8 stars. 85 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    40 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Barnard College?

19 Students rated Barnard College

Brooks - 07/19/2023

I absolutely love Barnard College. As a transfer student, it took very little time for me to be sure I had made the right choice when I decided to transfer. I was far more engaged and found classes to be much more intellectually stimulating. I love that Barnard is the best of both worlds in so many ways – an enclosed campus in a big city, a historically women's college within Columbia (aka many classes are Co-ed), access to Columbia resources without the disadvantages of going to a huge university (for example, some of my Columbia friends have classes mostly taught by TA's. At Barnard, all my classes have been taught by professors).

Jules - 07/30/2022

Before going to Barnard, I knew that I wanted to be someone who was confident in using my voice, who ended up with a job that I was passionate about, and who had a lifelong network of friends I could count on. I've only been at Barnard for a year, but I've found that it's the perfect place to find your place- there are people, classes, clubs, and experiences for people of all backgrounds and interests to fall in with. The community is one that will support you and treat you as an adult, that will make sure you're not just okay but that you're thriving. With the city at your fingertips and an entirely new world to dive into, Barnard is easy to call home.

Hannah - 02/08/2021

Context so you know the perspective of the person writing this review: I grew up middle class, in a more rural/small town area near a huge state university. I take school seriously and did well in high school, and also always had jobs and extracurriculars. I also partied a lot, am super social, and was on the more popular end of the spectrum. and I definitely had a little wild child streak towards the end of high school and beginning of college. Good things about the school: some of the classes. If you want to study something liberal artsy, this is a good school for it because you can be in small, seminar type classes where you can really learn! I had a couple awesome English profs. HOWEVER, there is a ton of cheating, so it's kind of hard to feel like the learning is real when everyone is legitimately cheating on everything. On one hand, there is a very rigorous environment in the classes, but on the other, everyone knows that no one is actually learning. So it creates an environment where everyone is competing to do well, but not to actually do well honestly. Basically, most people do not care about school, they just care about winning. So there are lots of people walking around competing for how well the did by trying the least and partying the most and sleeping the least, etc. Also, a lot of the professors, especially if you take classes at Columbia, gave off elitist, sexist, and racist vibes. White (or jewish) men run the show. If you are not one, you may feel your voice is not listened to or valued. On a similar note, the social environment felt toxic to me. Maybe I am just dumb for going there since I am just a regular girl and it should be expected, but if you ever watched gossip girl or the social network, the way the Ivy League social environment is portrayed is REAL. And if you are not from that class/world, you will probably feel extremely alienated. The other big community there is social justice and lgbtq, which is great, but I personally felt alienated from those communities as well, because they functioned as a lifestyle and were not super welcoming, and coming into college I had really no idea what I believed yet. Either way, if you are stressed about paying for college like I was, even if you get financial aid and have a job outside of class, like I did, the entire social life is based on paying for expensive things and going fancy places. If you want to have friends, you have to be able to go to the bars and out to eat and pay for clubs or pay to be in greek life. I was constantly stressed about money every single day I was at this school, and the people around me literally were a level of rich I did not even know existed. It was seriously a culture shock. I definitely made a few good friends, but I truly found like maybe 2 people the ENTIRE time I was there that came from a similar (working/middle class, rural or small town) background like I did. And it really showed! Everyone knows you are not one of them, even if you don't. And very few other people I knew had jobs, so I felt alone in that too. There are definitely other girls like me there, but it was NOT the majority. Basically, I would say if you are a regular person, you will feel extremely stressed out and subtly isolated at this school. Also, if you want to have a social life that includes seeing men, everyone goes to Columbia parties. And in my experience, the guys there are the most entitled people ever. I grew up in a college town and experienced college parties and hook up culture in high school, and was definitely a party girl, and STILL I would say the hook up culture at Columbia university if SCARY AF. Like very very entitled and sexist attitudes all the way around. There is also this weird competition between Barnard girls and Columbia girls, where they say that Columbia girls are nerdy and Barnard girls are hot, and Columbia girls say Barnard girls are stupid because they couldn't get into Columbia. so that is just a lovely little addition to the vibes there. Overall, the environment is very competitive: who has the best grades by trying the least, who is the most well connected, who has the most money, who is the coolest, who has the best clothes, who is invited to the best parties. Also LOTS fo slut shaming, from girls and guys. Like if you dress like you go to PSU or ASU or another state school, people will slut shame you for sure. People are really ruthless and will literally walk all over each other to get to the top. Like I witnessed very few real friendships between the girls there but SO MANY fake friendships. They were all being super fake nice and hanging out all the time, but then yelling and screaming and crying in their rooms because they screwed each other over constantly. Also, in my first semester there 4 people that I know of committed or attempted suicide. Basically, unless you are rich and went to a private boarding school in new England or are so committed to social justice that you want to take on a world like that and change it (and are actually committed to doing that and suffering for that cause) I would stay away. You will probably be stressed and feel like you're trying to keep up with a world that wasn't made for you and quite honestly doesn't want you to be part of it. It's sad because I want people who that world wasn't made for to break into it, but I do not know if it's worth all of the sh*t you will have to go through to do it, and the absolutely entitled and rude and ruthless but fake af ~individuals~ you will meet there.

Mya

Barnard has honestly changed my life. My decision to go here was one of, if not the best decision, I've made so far. The people are great, the atmosphere is wonderful and supportive, and as someone who loves to learn, it's really the place for me. However, it is pricy living in New York City, though I received a scholarship to ease most of my financial worries.

Barnard College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Barnard College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Barnard College is 16%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I love that Barnard is a women's college that doesn't force women's activism on their students. By being here one is able to learn what it means to be an empowered woman without being forced in being a stereotypical "man-hater".

    Read all  66 answers
  3. What are the academics like at your school?

    I would venture to say that more Barnard professors take time to learn their students names than Columbia professors whose lectures are much bigger. My favorite class was a historical survey of American religion- the class that made me a religion major. The professor was enthusiastic about the subject, approachable outside of class and probably the most intelligent man on earth. Barnard is definitely a place where at times I feel as if the competitive nature of the school cannot be good for the emotional well-being of the students, but everyone seems to get along fairly well. That being said I would guess that most people have to go see a counselor at some point in their time here.

    Read all  66 answers
  4. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are very different even though they have the similar background. Most of my classmates are white and range between upper and middle-class. Some are down to earth and are concerned with helping others, they understand if someone is underpriviledge. Others are not as tolerate and have narrow-minded views. But most of my classmates are very nice and they will go out of their way to help you out no matter if you are a first year or sophomore. They are giving and proud to be strong, beautiful Barnard women.

    Read all  65 answers
  5. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Not for most people.

    Read all  65 answers
  6. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    They are all feminists

    Read all  65 answers
  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    BANGHRA! I love them. I would watch them every day. Social life is okay, although I wouldn't call Barnard a "party" school by any means. But personally I like knowing that I have the option to go to different lectures, concerts, etc. on any given night as opposed to a variety of frat parties.

    Read all  60 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The school's students are very proud to be Barnard women, and that pride carries itself through the college years and stays with you for the rest of your life.

    Read all  39 answers
  9. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The first thing that I would tell myself is that even though I am academically disadvantaged I was admitted to the same place that other students who attended expensive private schools did--and I should not let this intimidate me. I was admitted because I am capable of doing the work but I needed to make some adjustments. One of those changes would have to be my study habits. I would suggest when doing a reading to summarize each paragraph in less than 10 words, write handwritten notes and then type them up in outline form--so that when exams come around I would have a study guide ready. I would also tell myself to practice reverse outlines so that I would get comfortable with them. I would suggest to get out of comfort zone and join clubs that I would not have typically joined in high school. I joined a club whose members are mostly Muslims. Although most of the time I am the only non-Muslim attending the events I have made so many friends, learned so much about the culture and ate great food. I absolutely love it! I wish that I would have done this earlier.

    Read all  27 answers
  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    These school is for Type-A, female personalities who know what their goals are and will do whatever it takes to achieve them.

    Read all  10 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    The college's historic affiliation with Columbia University; it opens up many doors and provides many opportunities because a lot of people in the professional world believe it's an official college of Columbia University. Also, the accessibility of the deans and the sense of community they provide ; we actually have a chance to know our deans personally. The quality of the education is superior to any liberal arts college in the country.

    Read all  9 answers
  12. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    What my major would be

    Read all  8 answers
  13. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Tests. but everyone has to take them, right?

    Read all  7 answers
  14. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Barnard College is best known for being one of the best women's liberal arts college in the United States. It boasts the small-community and supportive atmosphere, compounded with the large educational opportunities possible through academic relationship with the other schools of Columbia University. It's strength in women's study and dance majors are also reasons why some students choose Barnard over its competitors.

    Read all  5 answers
  15. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Adventurous, outgoing, interesting people. There definitely is a "Barnard Girl" feeling that all of my friends from college had. They were definitely not all the same, but it was always an eclectic mix of intellegence, interesting personal history, and and eagerness to share with other people.

    Read all  5 answers
  16. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    There's so much to do that you can easily feel overwhelmed. In addition, sometimes it can get lonely being in New York City. It's just a part of living there.

    Read all  4 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    I guess that the biggest stereotype about Barnard women is that we are all somewhat wealthy, Jewish, don't deserve to be a part of the Columbia community, and/or are extremely liberal about sex and sexuality. While there definitely is a strong contingent of the opulent 1{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, most of the people I know are on some type of financial aid and/or are working. I am Jewish, Barnard is one of the most "Jewish" schools in the country (there is a ridiculous proportion of Jewish women at Barnard), and the Barnard/Columbia Hillel definitely has a strong presence on campus. While Barnard is more "Jewish" than your average school, it's dual degree program with the Jewish Theological Seminary, location in the largest city in the country, and relationship with Columbia University make it seem like the perfect place to be if you are Jewish. That being said, other ethnic and religious groups do have a presence on campus, and there are groups from almost every background at either Barnard or Columbia. The "unintelligent" stereotype is probably the least true out of all of them, and you would only hear that one thrown anonymously at Barnard students on blogs. Barnard women, overall, have worked to get to where they are. I have met some of the most intelligent people I've ever met in my life at Barnard, and I have also met some people who just didn't really seem to want to get involved in academics. That seems to be the case with most colleges, so I've never held this against Barnard or Columbia. The "sexually active" stereotype is partially true; there are plenty of people on campus who are open about their sexuality, but it isn't the whole community, and it's definitely handled tastefully. Barnard women aren't, as any stereotype of a women's college would say, all lesbians. There are many people in the LGBTQA community, and they have an extremely important and meaningful place in the campus culture, as the community does on any campus. One of the main reasons why I'd say that the stereotype about sexual activity persists is because of the amazing health services we have at Barnard and the general push for knowledge about sex and sexuality. It is easy to go to Health Services for morning after pill, if you so need them, or to fill a birth control prescription. It is also easy to get condoms (while not as easy to get other forms of contraceptive, especially if you aren't having heterosexual intercourse). Barnard is fairly open and diverse, but not in an extreme way. It is probably one of the more, relatively, conservative women's colleges.

    Read all  3 answers
  18. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    One of my best friends at Barnard ended up transfering to another school during our sophomore year. She loved the classes, and her friends, but she couldn't stand to be so far away from the natural environment she grew up in. If you are someone who needs the great outdoors on a regular basis, Barnard can be a very frustrating place to spend four years.

    Read all  3 answers
  19. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It might be the few or the only place where you ll see a girl with thick glasses solving unbelievable hard math questions in the classroom one miniute ago but the found her dancing beautifully and confidently in the dance studio the next mintue. Oh my god, Barnard girls are really versatile and talented!

    Read all  3 answers
  20. What do students complain about most?

    Ridiculous weather (too hot or too cold), how much work we have. how we wish the weekend was just one day longer!

    Read all  2 answers
  21. Tell us about the food and dining options.

    Read all  2 answers

Student Body

Students

100%

female

N/A

male

2,510

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

65%

Out-Of-State

24%

In-State

11%

International

Organizations

100

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

92%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
14%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
13%
% White or Caucasian
52%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

56% of students attending Barnard College receive some sort of financial aid. 19% were awarded federal grants. While 34% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$50,394

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,150

Books and Supplies

$15,598

Room and Board

67,142

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$7,335
$30 - $48K
$8,569
$48 - $75K
$16,092
$75 - $110K
$20,111
$110K & UP
$41,048

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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