Fairfield University vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Fairfield University vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University 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 Sarah Lawrence College than Fairfield University ($43,629 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sarah Lawrence College are 7.1% lower than at Fairfield University ($18,426 vs. $19,838).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $8,512 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $58,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Fairfield University (about $8,512 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $58,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Sarah Lawrence College (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($38,838 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 10 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
• Incoming Fairfield University 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: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Fairfield University vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $33,000 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 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 Fairfield University graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.