Head-to-head comparison
Amherst College vs. Barnard College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Amherst or Barnard harder to get into?
Barnard is harder to get into than Amherst. Barnard's 8.8% acceptance rate is lower than Amherst's 9.0%.
Which is cheaper, Amherst or Barnard?
Amherst costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Amherst's average net price is $23,367 vs $28,800 at Barnard.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Barnard graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $77,644 at Amherst and $80,516 at Barnard.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Amherst | Barnard |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 9.0% | 8.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1580 | 1470–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,640 | $89,538 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $23,367 | $28,800 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,911 | 3,264 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.9% | 93.0% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $77,644 | $80,516 |
| Setting | Amherst, Massachusetts | New York, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Amherst's 9.0% acceptance rate and Barnard's 8.8% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Amherst is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,433 per year, $21,732 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Barnard is substantially larger with 3,264 undergrads vs 1,911 at Amherst. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Amherst is in Amherst, Massachusetts; Barnard is in New York, New York. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Amherst is 54.9% women, 13.1% international, and 16.5% Asian-American. Barnard is 100.0% women, 15.6% international, and 21.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Amherst | Barnard |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.9% | 100.0% |
| International | 13.1% | 15.6% |
| White | 36.4% | 32.4% |
| Asian | 16.5% | 21.9% |
| Hispanic | 13.8% | 14.3% |
| Black | 8.9% | 5.5% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Amherst vs. Barnard?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Amherst if
- Your odds are realistic at Amherst (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Amherst costs $5,433 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the open curriculum
Pick Barnard if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($80,516 vs $77,644)
- its partnership with Columbia
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Amherst College
9.0% accept · Amherst, Massachusetts
Full profile
Barnard College
8.8% accept · New York, New York
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.