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College comparison
Amherst vs Barnard
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Amherst Amherst, MA |  Barnard New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateBarnard College is more selective | 9% | 9% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1490–1580 | 1470–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,911 | 3,264 |
| Avg net price | $23,367 | $28,800 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Barnard reports higher median earnings | $77,644 | $80,516 |
| Graduation rate | 94% | 93% |
| Median debt | $13,740 | $18,000 |
| Economic mobility | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Amherst vs Barnard: how they compare
Amherst and Barnard are both selective liberal arts colleges, offering different environments.
By the numbers Both share a 9% acceptance rate, with Amherst’s SAT 25–75 range (1490–1580) slightly higher than Barnard’s (1470–1560). Financially, Amherst presents a stronger value proposition per AdmitQuant’s model: with a lower average net price ($23k vs. $29k) and a higher value multiplier (3.3× vs. 2.8× earnings per dollar of net price), though Barnard’s 10-year median earnings are slightly higher ($81k vs. $78k). Amherst shows greater institutional stability with a lower admit-rate volatility (51% vs. 64%) and a higher DOE financial-health score (2.8/3 vs. 2.5/3). However, Barnard excels in economic mobility, with a rate of 345% versus Amherst’s 196%. Amherst also has a specific strength in producing future scholars, with a future-scholar (S&E PhD) yield of 8.3 (Barnard’s figure is not provided). Graduation rates are virtually identical (94% vs. 93%).
Where they overlap They are peer institutions in selectivity and graduation success. Both offer a rigorous liberal arts education with the benefits of consortium relationships—Amherst with the Five Colleges, and Barnard with Columbia University—expanding academic and social resources.
How they differ The core divergence is in setting and scale. Amherst is a suburban, self-contained campus where life revolves around the college community. Barnard is an urban campus in New York City, integrated into the Morningside Heights neighborhood and offering access to the metropolis. Class size and faculty interaction differ due to their respective scales and models.
Who each suits Amherst suits the student who thrives in a focused, residential college community and who may value the financial and institutional stability highlighted by the data. Barnard is ideal for the independent student who wants a liberal arts college experience within New York City, and for whom the school’s record of economic mobility is particularly resonant.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Amherst College or Barnard College harder to get into?
- Barnard College is more selective: Amherst College's acceptance rate is approximately 9% and Barnard College's is approximately 9% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Amherst College vs Barnard College?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1470–1560 at Barnard College. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.