There are many shrubs in that size range including some Spireas, Deutzias, and Wigelas. just to get you started.

I am not a fan of barberry hedges either, having lived with one as a kid. Do you want to replace them or would you consider changing up the hedge? Would it work to remove them and then see how you like the situation or do you need shrubs there? I ask because the tick magnet part I don't think will change, regardless of what shrubs you have, so I don't want you to think that other shrubs will provide less shelter to ticks. There are natural yard repellents (garlic or herb based) that anecdotally seem to help, and tick tubes (if you don't have cats), but nothing beats a careful tick check every time you come into the house and every evening at bedtime. Keeping flower beds weed-free and grass trimmed will help since the brushier and area is, the better shelter it gives ticks.

There will be more choices if you can go as tall as 4'-5', but if not, Laceyvail's suggestions all have several selections that stay under 3', have interesting foliage, and flowers. (There are also taller ones with plain green foliage, so check the tags.) If the soil is well-drained, look also at Caryopteris. If you want evergreen, check out some of the slower growing boxwoods, which could be maintained at that height, or there are a few shorter Rhododendrons that could work such as PJM 'Checkmate' or PJM 'Amy Cotta '. There are a few cultivars of Buddleia/butterfly bush (check to see if seeding is a problem in your area) and a few of Clethra (late season interest with August flowers and clear yellow fall color) varieties that stay short. Itea/sweetspire 'Little Henry' is another short shrub with late summer flowers but red fall foliage. There are a lot of reblooming Hydrangea macrophylla that are small.

Just a warning - barberry roots can go to China, if they've been there for a while, so schedule a generous amount of time to get those shrubs out of there (I've gotten rid of three, so I am speaking from painful experience).