University of Rochester vs Barnard College: which has better ROI?
Barnard College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,200 in 3.6 years versus 3.8 years at University of Rochester, on median earnings of $80,516 vs $79,042 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rochester | Barnard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,278 | $28,800 |
| Total net cost | $117,112 | $115,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $79,042 | $80,516 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $496,528 | $527,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rochester or Barnard College?
Barnard College, at $28,800 a year after aid versus $29,278 — a gap of $478 a year, or $1,912 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Rochester or Barnard College graduates earn more?
Barnard College graduates report a median $80,516 ten years after entry, $1,474 more than the $79,042 at University of Rochester. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Rochester or Barnard College?
Barnard College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Rochester, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at Barnard College, against 85% at University of Rochester. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.