RPI vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

RPI vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Sarah Lawrence ($38,887 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 1.7% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($18,120 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,781 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,781 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Sarah Lawrence College (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 12% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($43,517 vs. $38,838).

RPI vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 100 points higher than at Sarah Lawrence (1340).
• Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Sarah Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Sarah Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Sarah Lawrence (3.75).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Sarah Lawrence (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

RPI vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Sarah Lawrence College's (70%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $38,400 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($139 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sarah Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.