Columbia vs Barnard College
Columbia University and Barnard College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning located in the vibrant heart of New York City, offer prospective students a wealth of opportunities to pursue academic excellence. While both share the same campus and many resources, they maintain distinct identities and academic experiences. Columbia, known for its rigorous curriculum and world-renowned faculty, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a larger student body, while Barnard, a women's college, fosters a close-knit community and provides a supportive environment for its students. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics of each institution, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Barnard College |
![]() Columbia University |
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Overview |
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Location | New York, New York | New York, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: 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% | 99.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 11.5% | 4.1% |
Application fees | $75 |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | 1425 - 1550 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 30.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 28.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,395 | 61,110 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,192 | 2,524 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 769 | 1,641 |
Yield rate | 64.5% | 65.0% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,693 | $90,882 |
Average net price | $28,366 | $12,411 |
Tuition | $57,734 | $60,514 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,206
Meal plan:
$7,280
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Room/dormitory:
$9,450
Meal plan:
$6,000
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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 |
53.0%
Average amount $57,726 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
32.0%
Average amount $1,946 |
7.0%
Average amount $5,511 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $13,974 |
2.0%
Average amount $34,119 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,043
Men 0.3% Women 99.7% |
8,832
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
Graduate students | N/A |
24,944
Men 44.8% Women 55.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 70.3% | N/A |
International students | 12.6% | 37.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,411 | 13,071 |
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 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.8% | 97.4% |
Dropout rate | 2.7% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | 4.3% | 0.7% |
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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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Construction Management (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
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