Northeastern vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Northeastern vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern University than Sarah Lawrence ($34,207 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sarah Lawrence College are 5.9% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,426 vs. $19,580).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $700 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Northeastern University (about $700 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at Northeastern University (90% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($50,421 vs. $38,838).

Northeastern vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 150 points higher than at Sarah Lawrence (1340).
• Incoming Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Sarah Lawrence (3.75).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Northeastern vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $14,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $149 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($139 vs. $288).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.