At $21,132/yr net price, Sarah Lawrence College graduates earn $53,603/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,603/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,132 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,603/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,603/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,746/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,018/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,814/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,853/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,166/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $71,854 | $41,000 |
| Public Health. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $35,060 | |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $28,443 | $41,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Master | $26,353 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $21,873 | $23,500 |
The Risk Factor
70.0% of students at Sarah Lawrence College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Sarah Lawrence gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return. Ten years out, the median graduate earns $53,603, which sits below what you'd hope for after paying a net price above $21,000 a year at a private college. The one bachelor's program with reported earnings data, Liberal Arts and Sciences, shows graduates earning around $21,873 a decade later , a low number that reflects the humanities-heavy, interdisciplinary path this school is built around. There is no engineering, nursing, or computer science payoff track to point to here.
The risk is specific: your earnings depend heavily on what you do after graduation, not the degree itself, because a general liberal arts credential in the New York metro job market doesn't lock in a salary floor. You carry a median debt of $27,000, and if your income tracks the liberal arts figures, repayment will be slow. The 70% graduation rate also means a real share of students leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst financial outcome available.
The net price tiers reward middle-income families oddly. If your family earns $75,000-$110,000, you pay the least at $16,853 , less than families earning under $30,000, who pay $20,746, and far less than the $48,000-$75,000 bracket, who pay $27,814. That middle-income squeeze is real: earning $50,000-$75,000 costs you the most to attend.
This school fits you if you want an interdisciplinary humanities education, can graduate without heavy borrowing, or land in the $75k-$110k income bracket where net price drops. Look elsewhere if you need a degree that pays back quickly, plan to borrow near the median, or fall in the $48k-$75k income band where you pay top dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarah Lawrence College worth the money?
Sarah Lawrence's return on investment is mixed - graduates earn $53,603 ten years out with median debt of $27,000. The school's strength in mental health services produces higher earnings ($71,854), but theater and writing programs show much lower returns.
What majors at Sarah Lawrence College have the best job prospects?
Mental and Social Health Services leads Sarah Lawrence earnings at $71,854, followed by Public Health at $47,260. Theater and writing programs earn significantly less, with graduates making around $26,000-$28,000.
How much debt do Sarah Lawrence College students typically have?
Sarah Lawrence graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the $21,132 net price. However, earnings vary dramatically by program, making debt burden heavily dependent on your major choice.
Does Sarah Lawrence College provide good financial aid?
Sarah Lawrence's net price of $21,132 represents substantial aid from the full sticker price. With a 70% graduation rate and reasonable debt levels, financial aid makes the school accessible, though career outcomes depend heavily on program selection.