Emerson vs. Sarah Lawrence

Emerson College and Sarah Lawrence College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Sarah Lawrence College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 61.7%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Sarah Lawrence. Average net price is $43,629 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Sarah Lawrence 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Sarah Lawrence $44,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Sarah Lawrence College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Sarah Lawrence61.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Sarah Lawrence higher
Emerson1270-1420
Sarah Lawrence1240-1430
Average net price
Sarah Lawrence $9,803 less
Emerson$53,432
Sarah Lawrence$43,629
In-state tuition
Emerson $9,806 less
Emerson$57,056
Sarah Lawrence$66,862
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $9,806 less
Emerson$57,056
Sarah Lawrence$66,862
Graduation rate
Emerson +11 pts
Emerson81%
Sarah Lawrence70%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$5,100
Emerson$49,200
Sarah Lawrence$44,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Sarah Lawrence 4,617
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Sarah Lawrence 2,850
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Sarah Lawrence 61.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Sarah Lawrence 14.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Sarah Lawrence 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Sarah Lawrence 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Sarah Lawrence 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Sarah Lawrence A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Sarah Lawrence Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Sarah Lawrence Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Sarah Lawrence 1240-1430
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Sarah Lawrence 28-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Sarah Lawrence Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Sarah Lawrence $66,862
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Sarah Lawrence $66,862
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Sarah Lawrence $18,426
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Sarah Lawrence $43,629
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Sarah Lawrence $38,838
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Sarah Lawrence 90%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Sarah Lawrence 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Sarah Lawrence $44,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Sarah Lawrence 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Sarah Lawrence $13,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Sarah Lawrence $139
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Sarah Lawrence 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Sarah Lawrence
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (100%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Sarah Lawrence Bronxville, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Sarah Lawrence Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Sarah Lawrence 1,798
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Sarah Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Sarah Lawrence #144

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,798 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sarah Lawrence College are 11.9% lower than at Emerson College ($18,426 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Emerson College (about $9,806 more per year; $66,862 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sarah Lawrence College than at Emerson College (90% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($38,838 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emerson than at Sarah Lawrence (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Sarah Lawrence.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Sarah Lawrence average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($13,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($139 vs. $242).
  • More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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