AU vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

AU vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Sarah Lawrence? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American University than Sarah Lawrence ($39,676 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 2.4% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($17,982 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $8,091 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at American University (about $8,091 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at American University (90% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students is 6.8% larger than aid received by American University students ($38,838 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Sarah Lawrence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sarah Lawrence and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 30 points higher than at Sarah Lawrence (1340).
• Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sarah Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Sarah Lawrence (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

AU vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Sarah Lawrence? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($13,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($139 vs. $250).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.