Sarah Lawrence vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Sarah Lawrence vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sarah Lawrence or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Sarah Lawrence ($18,211 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 10.8% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($16,436 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 646.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $57,909 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 248.2% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $47,659 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at SUNY at Purchase College (90% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students is 272.3% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($38,838 vs. $10,432).

Sarah Lawrence vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sarah Lawrence or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College and Sarah Lawrence.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 60 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Sarah Lawrence students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sarah Lawrence College 28/31; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sarah Lawrence - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Sarah Lawrence (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Sarah Lawrence vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sarah Lawrence and Purchase College? 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).

• Sarah Lawrence College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Sarah Lawrence College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($13,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($139 vs. $232).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.