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Barnard College

New York, NY

private nonprofitbachelors

Quick Facts

Ἑπομένη τῷ λογισμῷ(Following the Way of Reason)

1889
Founded
Private women's liberal arts college
Type
3,219
Total Students
3,442
Undergrad
$503M
Endowment
(2024)
$66K
Tuition (In-State)
$66K
Tuition (Out-State)
$39K
Avg Net Price
8%
Acceptance Rate
93%
Graduation Rate
6-year
97%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Laura Rosenbury

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Barnard College

A leading women's liberal arts college in NYC, independently affiliated with Columbia University.

Barnard College, a distinguished private women's liberal arts institution in New York City, stands as a beacon of empowerment and intellectual rigor. As one of the original "Seven Sisters" colleges, it carries a rich legacy of fostering female leadership and scholarship. Nestled in Manhattan's vibrant Morningside Heights, Barnard offers students the unique advantage of an intimate college experience combined with seamless access to the vast resources of its affiliate, Columbia University.

The college's very foundation in 1889 was a testament to persistent advocacy for women's education. Led by visionary student activist Annie Nathan Meyer and other prominent New York women, Barnard was established in response to Columbia University's initial reluctance to fully admit women. Named after Frederick A. P. Barnard, a former Columbia president who championed coeducation, the college quickly forged its path, providing a dedicated academic home where women could excel.

Academically, Barnard empowers students through bachelor of arts programs across some 50 diverse areas of study, emphasizing a robust liberal arts curriculum. While maintaining independent admission, curricula, and finances, Barnard students benefit immensely from its affiliation with Columbia, including shared sports teams through the Columbia–Barnard Athletic Consortium, making it the only women's college to compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Its alumnae network is incredibly distinguished, boasting recipients of numerous prestigious awards including Emmy, Tony, Grammy, Academy, Pulitzer Prizes, and even the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting the profound impact Barnard graduates have made across every field.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1889 as a private women's liberal arts college, one of the original Seven Sisters.
  • Independently affiliated with Columbia University, offering access to Ivy League resources while maintaining a distinct identity.
  • Located in New York City's Morningside Heights, directly across from Columbia's main campus.
  • Offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in approximately 50 areas of study.
  • Only women's college to compete in NCAA Division I athletics through its consortium with Columbia University.
  • Alumnae include recipients of Emmy, Tony, Grammy, Academy, Peabody awards, Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • Manages an endowment of $503.4 million (2024) and enrolls 3,442 undergraduates (fall 2022).

Timeline

1754
Columbia University founded (context for Barnard's later creation)
1879
Columbia President Frederick A. P. Barnard advocates for women's admission to Columbia
1883
Columbia agrees to create a syllabus allowing women to receive degrees without full admission
1887
First woman graduates from Columbia via the syllabus program
1889
Barnard College founded by Annie Nathan Meyer and others, in response to Columbia's refusal to fully admit women
1889
First classes held at 343 Madison Avenue with 36 students
🏛️
137 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Rebecca L. Walkowitz
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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