Cost of Attendance
The Financial Aid Budget
Students’ financial aid packages are based on total educational costs incurred during the full academic year. The Financial Aid Office will use the following budgets in 2025-2026 to determine the eligibility of each applicant. These budgets are called the Cost of Attendance. The cost of attendance below is for the full year. Any changes to the cost of attendance may also impact a student's financial aid eligibility.
| Resident | Commuter | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $70,644 | $70,644 |
| Fees | $2,389 | $2,389 |
|
Housing** |
$13,712 | $5,030 |
| Meals** | $8,979 | $1,800 |
| Books/Supplies* | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Miscellaneous* | $1,830 | $1,830 |
| Transportation* | $1,070 | $1,070 |
| Direct Loan Fees* | $50 | $50 |
| Total Basic Budget | $99,874 | $84,013 |
*These amounts are estimates and subject to change.
**These amounts are estimates and subject to change based room assignment.
2025-2026 Tuition & Fees
A full list of current tuition & fees at Barnard can be found on the Bursar’s Office website.
Understanding Your Aid
Students who are admitted to the College can view our Understanding Your Aid page for information regarding financial aid budgeting and awarding procedures at Barnard.
Below are descriptions of Barnard’s Costs of Attendance (COA). Please note that the COA budgets are based on a 9 month period, aligning with our institutional calendar which runs from September 2, 2025 to May 4, 2026, and may vary according to academic classification, campus housing status, and state residency status.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees are determined annually by the Barnard Board of Trustees. Fees refer to a set of comprehensive charges that include a Student Health Service Fee, Class Fee, Computer Fee, Student Government Charges, and access to the Dodge Physical Fitness Center and Lerner Hall at Columbia University. The comprehensive charge does not cover Student Health Insurance.
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment
Costs are determined by using market data which reflects 2024 Average Tuition, Fees and Living Costs in New York State for the total cost of books and supplies, including academic materials, equipment, and technology.
Travel/Transportation
Transportation costs allow for one round trip to campus by ground transportation per year for domestic students.
For residential students who are not NY or NJ residents, a differential based on distance is applied to the maximum travel allotment.
For all commuters, transportation costs allow for one round trip to campus by ground transportation per year plus the average cost of a round trip NY metro card allowing travel to and from campus for each semester of enrollment.
Living Expenses (Housing)
- First-year and upper class residential students: Housing costs reflect the average cost of a room in a college residence hall, whether with or without kitchen accommodations.
- Non-Residential Students living on their own: Housing costs reflect the average share of rent and utilities calculated at a rate of 25% in a shared dwelling not owned or operated by Barnard College or any of the student’s relatives.
- Non-Residential students living at home: Housing costs reflect a value of 43% of the allotment provided to students who live independently.
All living expense allotments for housing apply for 9 months, aligning with the College’s institutional calendar which runs from September 2, 2025 to May 4, 2026.
Living Expenses (Food)
- First-year residents and upper-class residents living in the Quad, floors 2-8: Food costs are based on Barnard’s Platinum Plan which provides students with three meals per day each week through a combination of swipes and dining points. This is in accordance with federal regulations for providing adequate meal coverage.
- Upper-class students living in the Quad’s Sulzberger Tower, floors 9-26 (with access to kitchens), and non-residential students living independently: Food costs are based on average monthly grocery expenses for a single person living in New York City according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The amount reflects this monthly average multiplied by 9 months, aligning with our institutional calendar which runs from September 2, 2025 to May 4, 2026.
- Non-residential students living at home with family: Food costs are based on institutional lunch estimates which provide students with access to on-campus dining through the Flex 100 or Convenience dining plans.
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
The miscellaneous personal expense budget is based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s estimates for personal items for one person. This includes laundry, toiletries, cell phone, and personal expenses.
Federal Student Loan Fees
The cost of the 2025-2026 federal student loan origination fee has been included in the COA for federal TIV borrowers only, and is provided as a standard rate of approximately $50 per year for those using Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans.