At $39,253/yr net price, Barnard College graduates earn $80,516/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $46,516/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $39,253 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $157,012 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,516/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$46,516/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 92.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,486/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,011/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,279/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,152/yr |
| $110,001+ | $58,447/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $70,456 | $16,250 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $14,899 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $49,646 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $48,432 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $47,846 | $18,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $18,558 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $41,789 | $18,750 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $39,648 | $19,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $17,491 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $30,771 |
The Risk Factor
92.9% of students at Barnard College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Barnard's numbers hold up. You leave with median debt of $18,000, which is roughly one year of median earnings a decade out. That ratio is the healthiest part of this picture, and a 92.9% grad rate plus a 96.7% retention rate mean you are very likely to actually finish and start earning.
The catch is what pays that debt back. Economics is the clear winner here, and the gap between it and everything else is wide. Sociology, psychology, political science, and interdisciplinary studies all land in the high $40k to low $50k range ten years out. Those are liberal-arts salaries, and against a New York City cost of living they stretch thin. If you major in one of these and stay in the city, expect the early years to feel tight even at the median.
The financial risk is specific and simple: Barnard is a humanities and social-sciences college, and its listed programs cluster around modest earnings. There is no engineering or computer-science salary line to lift the average. Your return depends heavily on picking economics or on using the college as a route to graduate or professional school, where the payoff isn't captured in these bachelor's figures.
Family income decides whether this makes sense. If your family earns under $48k, you pay under $15,000 a year, and the debt math works well against any of these majors. The $48-75k and $75-110k tiers pay real but manageable amounts. Above $110k, you pay $58,447 a year at close to full sticker, and at that price a psychology or sociology degree is a stretch on pure ROI.
Barnard fits you if you qualify for strong aid, or if you're aiming at economics or graduate school. If you'd pay full price for a modest-earning major, look harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnard College worth the high tuition cost?
Barnard's $39,253 annual net price is steep, but graduates earn $80,516 after 10 years, which is solid for a liberal arts college. The 93% graduation rate and relatively low $18,000 median debt help justify costs for students who can afford it.
Which majors at Barnard College have the best ROI?
Economics majors at Barnard earn around $70,456 after graduation, making it the highest-paying program. Sociology and interdisciplinary studies majors earn significantly less at around $50,000, while psychology and political science graduates start near $48,000.
How much debt do Barnard College students typically graduate with?
Barnard students graduate with a median debt of $18,000, which is lower than many private colleges. However, this figure only reflects students who borrow, and many Barnard families pay full price without loans.
Does Barnard College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Barnard's $39,253 net price suggests decent financial aid for qualifying families, though it remains expensive for middle-class students who don't qualify for need-based aid. The school meets demonstrated need but uses institutional methodology that may not align with family expectations.