Howard vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Howard vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Sarah Lawrence? 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 Howard University than Sarah Lawrence ($33,368 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 6% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($17,322 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 86.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $31,052 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.7% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Howard University (about $31,052 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Sarah Lawrence College (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students is 82.7% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($38,838 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 130 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Sarah Lawrence students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Sarah Lawrence - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Howard vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Sarah Lawrence? 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 33%)

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.