Cornell vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Cornell vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell University than Sarah Lawrence ($26,361 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sarah Lawrence College are 5.2% lower than at Cornell University ($18,426 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sarah Lawrence (about $2,452 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,862.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Cornell than at Sarah Lawrence College (about $2,452 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at Cornell University (90% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 59.1% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($61,779 vs. $38,838).

Cornell vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 200 points higher than at Sarah Lawrence (1340).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Sarah Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Sarah Lawrence (3.75).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Cornell vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $54,300 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Sarah Lawrence graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sarah Lawrence graduates ($124 vs. $139).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sarah Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.