Head-to-head comparison
Barnard College vs. Wellesley College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Barnard or Wellesley harder to get into?
Barnard is harder to get into than Wellesley. Barnard's 8.8% acceptance rate is lower than Wellesley's 14.1%.
Which is cheaper, Barnard or Wellesley?
Wellesley costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Wellesley's average net price is $25,496 vs $28,800 at Barnard.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Wellesley graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,516 at Barnard and $84,803 at Wellesley.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Barnard | Wellesley |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 8.8% | 14.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1560 | 1460–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,538 | $86,290 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,800 | $25,496 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 3,264 | 2,300 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.0% | 91.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $80,516 | $84,803 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Wellesley, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Barnard is meaningfully harder to get into. A 5.2-percentage-point gap between 8.8% (Barnard) and 14.1% (Wellesley) reflects real selectivity differences. Wellesley is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Barnard is in New York, New York; Wellesley is in Wellesley, Massachusetts. 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. Wellesley is 99.9% women, 13.4% international, and 25.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Barnard | Wellesley |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 100.0% | 99.9% |
| International | 15.6% | 13.4% |
| White | 32.4% | 29.8% |
| Asian | 21.9% | 25.7% |
| Hispanic | 14.3% | 14.4% |
| Black | 5.5% | 8.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Barnard vs. Wellesley?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Barnard if
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its partnership with Columbia
Pick Wellesley if
- Your odds are realistic at Wellesley (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Wellesley costs $3,304 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($84,803 vs $80,516)
- cross-registration with MIT
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
Wellesley College
14.1% accept · Wellesley, Massachusetts
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.