CUNY New York City College of Technology vs Sarah Lawrence College: which has better ROI?
CUNY New York City College of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $20,508 in 20.4 years versus 31.6 years at Sarah Lawrence College, on median earnings of $49,365 vs $53,603 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Sarah Lawrence College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,127 | $41,437 |
| Total net cost | $20,508 | $165,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,365 | $53,603 |
| Median debt | $10,533 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 20.4 yrs | 31.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$408 | -$60,888 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY New York City College of Technology or Sarah Lawrence College?
CUNY New York City College of Technology, at $5,127 a year after aid versus $41,437 — a gap of $36,310 a year, or $145,240 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do CUNY New York City College of Technology or Sarah Lawrence College graduates earn more?
Sarah Lawrence College graduates report a median $53,603 ten years after entry, $4,238 more than the $49,365 at CUNY New York City College of Technology. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, CUNY New York City College of Technology or Sarah Lawrence College?
CUNY New York City College of Technology: its completers carry a median $10,533 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Sarah Lawrence College, a difference of $16,467. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Sarah Lawrence College, against 21% at CUNY New York City College of Technology. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.