What to Know About Applying to Barnard College

Located in the heart of New York City, Barnard College is a distinguished liberal arts institution for women that combines academic rigor with unparalleled access to one of the world’s most vibrant urban environments. With its close partnership with Columbia University, small class sizes, and deep commitment to empowering students, Barnard offers a unique college experience that blends intellectual challenge with strong community support.

Barnard Admissions at a Glance

Category	Details
Total Applicants	11,836 (Class of 2028)
Students Admitted	1,046
Students Enrolled	718
Acceptance Rate	Highly selective
Application Options	Early Decision (Binding) / Regular Decision
Early Decision Deadline	November 1
Regular Decision Deadline	Extended to January 15, 2025
Admissions Review	Holistic: academic records, essays, recommendations, and context
Best for Early Decision?	Students who’ve thoroughly researched Barnard and made it their top choice

Cost of Attendance

Category	Resident	Commuter
Tuition	$67,602	$67,602
Fees	$2,286	$2,286
Housing**	$13,122	$4,813
Meals**	$8,592	$1,800
Books/Supplies*	$1,150	$1,150
Miscellaneous*	$1,830	$1,830
Transportation*	$1,070	$1,070
Direct Loan Fees*	$50	$50
Total	$95,702	$76,959

Student Body

Barnard fosters a vibrant and inclusive campus community. Among the 3,269 undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2024, the the student body includes:

• 59% domestic students of color
• 16% international students, representing 60 countries
• 16% first-generation college students
• 18% Pell Grant recipients

Academic

Barnard is known for its challenging academic environment, close faculty mentorship, and cross-registration with Columbia University. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 67% of classes having fewer than 20 students, students benefit from meaningful classroom engagement with professors who are scholars in their fields.

Top majors at Barnard include:

• Psychology
• Economics
• Computer Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Political Science
• English

In the Class of 2024, 49% of degrees were in STEM fields, reflecting Barnard’s growing emphasis on science and technology.

Application

Barnard accepts the Common Application and requires several short-answer essays tailored to the Barnard experience. In these prompts, students are encouraged to reflect on their intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and engagement with diverse perspectives. The admissions committee evaluates applications holistically, considering a student’s academic record, extracurricular involvement, and the context in which they’ve achieved.

Standardized testing is optional through 2027, and applicants can choose whether to include SAT or ACT scores. International students may need to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores if English is not their first language.

Life After Barnard

Barnard graduates leave campus prepared to thrive—whether in the workforce, graduate school, or competitive fellowships. For the Classes of 2018 through 2024, over 91% of students were employed or enrolled in graduate or professional programs within six months of graduation. They’ve joined more than 1,200 organizations and institutions worldwide, from Fortune 500 companies to top graduate schools.

Barnard is also a leader in fellowship success: 16 students and alumni were awarded Fulbright grants in 2024 alone, part of a nine-year streak as a top Fulbright-producing institution. Graduates have gone on to earn Goldwater, Gates Cambridge, and Pickering Fellowships, among others.

When it comes to graduate study, Columbia University is a top destination, with over 150 Barnard alumni enrolling from recent classes. Pre-med students are also highly successful: 88% of those with a 3.4 GPA and strong MCAT scores were admitted to at least one medical school over the past five years.

With a highly competitive admissions process and a generous commitment to meeting full financial need, Barnard continues to attract ambitious students ready to make a difference. Whether you’re preparing to apply Early Decision or are still considering your options, having clear insight into the admissions timeline and financial aid expectations is key.

At Ivy Talent, we guide students and families through every step of the college admission process. Let us help make this easier for you and your family.