Overview of Barnard College
Barnard College, founded in 1889, is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Morningside Heights, New York City. Affiliated with Columbia University, Barnard is an independent institution with its own faculty, administration, and campus, but it shares a close relationship with Columbia, offering students unique opportunities for cross-registration and collaboration. Here is an overview of key aspects of Barnard College:
- Academic Programs: Barnard College is renowned for its rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences. The college offers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education that encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broad understanding of the world.
- Core Curriculum: Like Columbia University, Barnard has a distinctive core curriculum that serves as the foundation of its academic program. The Barnard College Nine Ways of Knowing includes courses in science, historical studies, social analysis, literature, arts, and more. This core curriculum is intended to ensure that students engage with a diverse range of subjects and develop a well-rounded intellectual foundation.
- Columbia-Barnard Collaboration: Barnard College shares a unique relationship with Columbia University. While Barnard is an independent college, students have the opportunity to take classes at Columbia and enjoy various resources and facilities, including libraries, research centers, and extracurricular activities. This collaboration enhances the academic experience and provides access to a broader educational community.
- Focus on Women’s Leadership: Barnard is committed to empowering women and promoting leadership. The college has a strong emphasis on women’s education and aims to prepare students to be leaders in various fields. The Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard offers programs, events, and resources focused on fostering leadership skills and opportunities.
- Global Perspective: Barnard College places importance on global education and encourages students to engage with international issues. The college offers study abroad programs, international internships, and global seminars, allowing students to broaden their perspectives and understand the interconnectedness of the world.
- Student-Faculty Ratio and Close Mentorship: With a relatively small student body, Barnard maintains a low student-faculty ratio. This creates an environment conducive to close mentorship and meaningful interactions between students and faculty. Professors at Barnard are dedicated to teaching and mentoring, fostering academic excellence and personal growth.
- Diverse and Inclusive Community: Barnard College is known for its diverse and inclusive community. The student body represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. The college actively promotes a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel valued and heard.
- Research Opportunities: Barnard provides students with opportunities for research and independent study. The college encourages undergraduates to engage in scholarly activities, work closely with faculty on research projects, and present their findings at conferences.
- Barnard Beyond Barnard: The Barnard Beyond Barnard initiative focuses on preparing students for life after college. It offers career development resources, internships, networking opportunities, and guidance on pursuing graduate studies or entering the workforce. The college is committed to helping students translate their academic experiences into successful careers.
- Cultural and Social Life: Located in New York City, Barnard College benefits from its vibrant urban setting. Students have access to a wide range of cultural and social activities, including museums, theaters, and diverse neighborhoods. The city becomes an extension of the campus, providing enrichment and opportunities for exploration.
Barnard College is distinguished by its commitment to women’s education, rigorous liberal arts curriculum, close-knit community, and the unique collaboration with Columbia University. The college’s emphasis on leadership, global perspectives, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment contributes to its reputation as a leading institution in women’s higher education.
3009 Broadway New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854-2014
Email: admissions@barnard.edu
Web site: http://www.barnard.edu
Rankings: Barnard College
Located in New York, NY, Barnard College is one of the best universities in the state of New York. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Barnard College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Barnard College.
Barnard College ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. According to the U.S. News and World Report 2021 rankings, Barnard is ranked #11 among national liberal arts colleges, #4 among Best Value Schools, and #14 in Most Innovative Schools. Additionally, Barnard was ranked as the #1 college for undergraduate teaching by The Princeton Review 2020 edition and was also named a “Best Buy” by Forbes magazine in 2019. Additionally, Barnard is highly regarded for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. According to its website, Barnard has a student body that is 53% female students of color, 17% international students from more than 60 countries around the world, 40% first-generation college students, and 25% LGBTQ+ students. The college also boasts an 85% graduation rate within four years—the highest among all liberal arts colleges in New York City—and a 97% job placement rate within six months of graduation. Through its rigorous academic curriculum and wide range of extracurricular activities offered on campus such as internships, research opportunities, clubs and organizations, Barnard prepares its graduates to be successful leaders in their respective fields.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Overall Ranking: | 30 |
| Score: | 75 |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 3.9 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 16 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 95.0% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 89.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 89% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | 0 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 79 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 70.3% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 7.8% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 9:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 81.8% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 14 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1250-1440 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 74% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 90% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 28.5% |
| Financial resources rank: | 49 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 89 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 29.7% |
Essential Facts: Barnard College
- Barnard College’s ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #25.
- Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Manhattan, New York City.
- The college was named after Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard, a deaf American educator and mathematician who served as the 10th president of Columbia from 1864 to 1889.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 90% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | N/A |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | N/A |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 71% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | Yes |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 0% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance mandatory, class attendance policies set by individual instructors, honor code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA I |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | campus ministries, choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, jazz band, literary magazine, marching band, music ensembles, musical theater, opera, pep band, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student film society, symphony orchestra, television station, yearbook |