Pratt Institute-Main vs Sarah Lawrence College: which has better ROI?
Sarah Lawrence College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $165,748 in 31.6 years versus 35.5 years at Pratt Institute-Main, on median earnings of $53,603 vs $54,295 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pratt Institute-Main | Sarah Lawrence College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $52,659 | $41,437 |
| Total net cost | $210,636 | $165,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,295 | $53,603 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 35.5 yrs | 31.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$91,936 | -$60,888 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pratt Institute-Main or Sarah Lawrence College?
Sarah Lawrence College, at $41,437 a year after aid versus $52,659 — a gap of $11,222 a year, or $44,888 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pratt Institute-Main or Sarah Lawrence College graduates earn more?
Pratt Institute-Main graduates report a median $54,295 ten years after entry, $692 more than the $53,603 at Sarah Lawrence College. 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, Pratt Institute-Main or Sarah Lawrence College?
Pratt Institute-Main: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Sarah Lawrence College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Pratt Institute-Main, against 71% at Sarah Lawrence College. 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.