Sarah Lawrence College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$254,712
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-749/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-106%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Sarah Lawrence College is $63,678. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $26,788. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $34,251, and ten years after graduation, earnings are $53,603. The median student debt is $27,000.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the median debt of $27,000 is less than the one-year post-graduation earnings of $26,788. The college has a 70.8% graduation rate and an 84.4% retention rate. 42.4% of students receive financial aid.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$63,678
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$34,251
Graduation Rate
71%
Receive Financial Aid
42%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $254,712 | $36,532 | -88% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $254,712 | $48,003 | 2% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | $254,712 | $90,458 | 335% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Social Sciences, Other. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Dance. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
| Public Health. | $254,712 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.