Barnard Acceptance Rate

Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University and located in New York City, is known for its highly selective admissions process. For the Class of 2028, Barnard reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 8.0%, reflecting its status as one of the most competitive liberal arts colleges for women. This selectivity is driven by a growing applicant pool, with over 12,000 students applying in the most recent cycle, as well as the college’s strong academic reputation and unique partnership with Columbia. Barnard publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing reliable insights into its admissions trends.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 8.0% for the Class of 2028, with around 12,000 applicants and approximately 960 admitted students, marking a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of 8.8%.
• Early Decision Rate: Estimated at 25.0%, significantly higher than the regular decision rate, as Barnard prioritizes students who commit early. Exact figures for the Class of 2028 are pending release.
• International Student Rate: Data unavailable for the most recent cycle, but historically around 7-9%, reflecting similar competitiveness to the overall pool due to Barnard’s global appeal.

Over the past decade, Barnard’s acceptance rate has trended downward, dropping from around 15% in 2015 to the current 8.0%, signaling increasing competitiveness. The Early Decision program plays a significant role, with a higher acceptance rate encouraging applicants to apply early for better odds. International admissions remain highly selective, aligning with trends at peer institutions. Compared to other elite liberal arts colleges and Ivy League schools like Columbia (with a rate near 3.7%), Barnard’s selectivity is notable but slightly less extreme, balancing accessibility with prestige. For the most accurate and updated statistics, prospective students can refer to Barnard’s official admissions page at barnard.edu/admissions or the Common Data Set reports.