Sarah Lawrence College vs Alfred University: which has better ROI?
Alfred University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,480 in 15.7 years versus 31.6 years at Sarah Lawrence College, on median earnings of $54,897 vs $53,603 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Sarah Lawrence College | Alfred University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,437 | $25,620 |
| Total net cost | $165,748 | $102,480 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,603 | $54,897 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 31.6 yrs | 15.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$60,888 | $28,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Sarah Lawrence College or Alfred University?
Alfred University, at $25,620 a year after aid versus $41,437 — a gap of $15,817 a year, or $63,268 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Sarah Lawrence College or Alfred University graduates earn more?
Alfred University graduates report a median $54,897 ten years after entry, $1,294 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, Sarah Lawrence College or Alfred University?
Alfred University: 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?
71% of students finish at Sarah Lawrence College, against 57% at Alfred University. 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.