Colby College vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Colby College vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College 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 Colby College than Sarah Lawrence ($16,219 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 2.9% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($17,890 vs. $18,426).
• Colby College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sarah Lawrence (about $2,738 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,862.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Colby College than at Sarah Lawrence College (about $2,738 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at Colby College (90% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 78.2% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($69,201 vs. $38,838).

Colby College vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College 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 Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 170 points higher than at Sarah Lawrence (1340).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Sarah Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Sarah Lawrence (3.75).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Colby College vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $5,845 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($13,500 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($139 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sarah Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.