Cost of Attendance
Barnard: Investing in your academic excellence, personal development, and lifelong success
$65M
awarded in need-based scholarships annually
100%
of demonstrated financial need is met by Barnard
$68,562
is the average financial aid award
The 2026-2027 Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the comprehensive estimate of what it costs to attend Barnard for one academic year. It takes into consideration both direct and indirect costs to students and families for one year of enrollment, which includes the fall and spring semesters.
Direct costs include tuition, housing and meals and are billed directly to the student. Indirect costs are included as estimates meant to help students budget. They are not mandatory fees paid directly to the college. They include travel to and from campus, books, and personal expenses. Indirect costs can vary from student to student.
Estimate Your Cost
Barnard is committed to helping families clearly understand cost and access the resources needed to afford a transformative education. Use the MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator or the Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate of your family's expected contribution and financial aid eligibility. These tools can help students in the United States estimate eligibility for need-based financial aid at Barnard and how much your family might expect to contribute. Note that the calculators are not intended for international students. If you’d like to have a conversation about your estimated aid eligibility, please contact us.
Apply for Financial Aid
Discover the step-by-step process for requesting financial assistance, including required forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile, key priority deadlines, and specific instructions for first-year, transfer, and international applicants. Learn more about Financial Aid.
2026-2027 Tuition & Fees
A full list of current tuition & fees at Barnard can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Student Financial Services uses the following categories that make up the COA, set forth by the federal Higher Education Act, to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid.
| Cost Category | Resident | Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECT COST (billed to students) | ||
| Tuition | $73,120 | $73,120 |
| Fees | $2,472 | $2,472 |
| Housing** | $14,054 | $5,030 |
| Meals** | $9,204 | $1,800 |
| Direct Loan Fee (if applicable) | $50 | $50 |
| INDIRECT COSTS (not billed to students) | ||
| Books/Supplies* | $1,200 | $1,200* |
| Personal Expenses* | $1,830 | $1,830* |
| Estimated Travel Expenses (to/from home)** | $1,070 | $1,070* |
**Estimates and are subject to change based on room assignment and first-year or upper class student meal plan selection.
*Total amounts may vary
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 8, 2026 to May 3, 2027, 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 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 8, 2026 to May 3, 2027.
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 9-16 (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 8, 2026 to May 3, 2027.
- 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 2026-2027 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.