Head-to-head comparison
Barnard College vs. Claremont McKenna College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Barnard or CMC harder to get into?
Barnard is harder to get into than CMC. Barnard's 8.8% acceptance rate is lower than CMC's 9.6%.
Which is cheaper, Barnard or CMC?
Barnard costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Barnard's average net price is $28,800 vs $28,849 at CMC.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
CMC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,516 at Barnard and $104,736 at CMC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Barnard | CMC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1560 | 1470–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,538 | $86,500 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,800 | $28,849 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 3,264 | 1,388 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.0% | 91.4% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $80,516 | $104,736 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Claremont, California |
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. Barnard's 8.8% acceptance rate and CMC's 9.6% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
CMC graduates earn $24,220 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Barnard grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Barnard is substantially larger with 3,264 undergrads vs 1,388 at CMC. 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. Barnard is in New York, New York; CMC is in Claremont, California. 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. Barnard is 100.0% women, 15.6% international, and 21.9% Asian-American. CMC is 49.9% women, 14.8% international, and 17.1% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Barnard | CMC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 100.0% | 49.9% |
| International | 15.6% | 14.8% |
| White | 32.4% | 35.7% |
| Asian | 21.9% | 17.1% |
| Hispanic | 14.3% | 14.8% |
| Black | 5.5% | 4.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Barnard vs. CMC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Barnard if
- Net price matters: Barnard costs $49 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its partnership with Columbia
Pick CMC if
- Your odds are realistic at CMC (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($104,736 vs $80,516)
- the research institutes
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
Barnard College
8.8% accept · New York, New York
Full profile
Claremont McKenna College
9.6% accept · Claremont, California
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.