Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Sarah Lawrence College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Troy, NY, and Sarah Lawrence College is a private college in Bronxville, NY. Sarah Lawrence College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 62% of applicants against 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $36,228 a year against $41,437 at Sarah Lawrence College. About 83% of students graduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, compared with 71% at Sarah Lawrence College. Ten years after enrolling, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn a median of about $102,051, against $53,603 for Sarah Lawrence College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Troy, NY
Bronxville, NY
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,714
1,530
Acceptance rate
63%
62%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.59–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1375–1510
1240–1430
ACT (middle 50%)
30–34
28–31
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,228
$41,437
Full cost / yr
$82,404
$82,467
In-state tuition
$64,081
$66,862
Out-of-state tuition
$64,081
$66,862
Application fee
$70
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$24,078
$29,876
$30k - $48k
$26,289
$29,810
$48k - $75k
$28,212
$40,869
$75k - $110k
$36,230
$35,340
Over $110k
$42,541
$47,810
Outcomes
Graduation rate
83%
71%
Freshman retention
91%
87%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$83,054
$34,251
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,051
$53,603
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
12%
First-generation students
14%
11%
International students
7%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 1
Early action
Dec 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College harder to get into?
- Sarah Lawrence College is harder to get into. It admits about 62% of applicants, compared with 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is cheaper on average. Students pay about $36,228 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $41,437 at Sarah Lawrence College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Sarah Lawrence College?
- Before aid, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute costs about $82,404 a year and Sarah Lawrence College about $82,467. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $24,078 there, against about $29,876 at Sarah Lawrence College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the larger of the two, with about 5,714 undergraduates against 1,530 at Sarah Lawrence College.
- Does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College have a better graduation rate?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 71% at Sarah Lawrence College.
- Do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Sarah Lawrence College earn more?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,051 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,603 for Sarah Lawrence College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Sarah Lawrence College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Sarah Lawrence College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Sarah Lawrence College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1375–1510 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 1240–1430 at Sarah Lawrence College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Columbia University in the City of New YorkRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Binghamton UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of RochesterSarah Lawrence College vs Barnard CollegeSarah Lawrence College vs United States Military AcademySarah Lawrence College vs Hamilton College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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