Is Barnard test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1510 and hold it if it's under.

What is Barnard's acceptance rate?

8.8% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 1,046 of 11,836 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 78%, from 6,655 in 2015 to 11,836 in 2024, and Barnard's admit rate went from 20% to 8.8%.

What ACT score do you need for Barnard?

16% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 32–35, with a median of 34. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1480–1540 works out to about 33–35.

Why might Barnard's SAT range look high?

Only 38% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

How many students get off the waitlist at Barnard?

150 of the 1,644 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 9.1%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Barnard? (Middle 50%: 1480–1540)

First-year students at Barnard who sent an SAT scored 1480–1540, with a median of 1510 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Barnard admits 8.8% of applicants and is test optional.

Barnard College · New York, NY

Where your score lands at Barnard

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1480–1540, median 1510

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Barnard is for you and whether to send your score.

Add Barnard to my list

Barnard by the numbers

Admit rate: 8.8%
Middle 50% SAT: 1480–1540
Median SAT: 1510
About on the ACT: 33–35
Sent an SAT: 38%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Barnard admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Barnard admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 78%, from 6,655 in 2015 to 11,836 in 2024, and Barnard's admit rate went from 20% to 8.8%.

20%
8.8%

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	11,836	1,046	8.8%
2023	11,803	940	8.0%
2022	12,009	1,056	8.8%
2021	10,395	1,192	11%
2020	9,411	1,280	14%
2019	9,320	1,097	12%
2018	7,897	1,099	14%
2017	7,716	1,190	15%
2016	7,071	1,184	17%
2015	6,655	1,306	20%

In fall 2024, 718 of the 1,046 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Barnard

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1510Far reachHold
1510–1530Far reachSend
1540 and upReachSend

1300135014001450150015501600

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Barnard SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	730	770	790
SAT Reading and Writing	730	750	760
SAT total	1480	1510	1540
ACT composite	32	34	35

Of enrolled first-year students, 38% sent an SAT and 16% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Top 10% of their class: 96%; of new students who reported a rank

Barnard waitlist

Waitlist

2,173 applicants were offered a spot, 1,644 took it, and 150 were admitted from it.

9.1%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Barnard cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $28,800; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 93%
Median earnings: $80,516; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 4,046

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Barnard

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Barnard Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Barnard admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Barnard website
Barnard College

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1480–1540, and the median was 1510. At 1510 or higher you're above half of them. Barnard admits 8.8% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

Raise your score before you apply

The 15-minute starting check finds the question types costing you points, then plans each day up to your test date.

Start SAT free Check your whole list

Starting check

SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$