Clarkson vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Clarkson vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson 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 Clarkson University than Sarah Lawrence ($32,406 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 0.9% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($18,252 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $7,464 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Clarkson University (about $7,464 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Sarah Lawrence College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($46,528 vs. $38,838).

Clarkson vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson 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 Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 40 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Sarah Lawrence students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Sarah Lawrence (3.75).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Sarah Lawrence (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Clarkson vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson 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).

• Clarkson University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sarah Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.