Sarah Lawrence College vs New York Automotive and Diesel Institute: 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 38 years at New York Automotive and Diesel Institute, on median earnings of $53,603 vs $50,963 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Sarah Lawrence College | New York Automotive and Diesel Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,437 | $24,721 |
| Total net cost | $165,748 | $98,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,603 | $50,963 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $16,064 |
| Payback | 31.6 yrs | 38 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$60,888 | -$46,824 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Sarah Lawrence College or New York Automotive and Diesel Institute?
New York Automotive and Diesel Institute, at $24,721 a year after aid versus $41,437 — a gap of $16,716 a year, or $66,864 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 New York Automotive and Diesel Institute graduates earn more?
Sarah Lawrence College graduates report a median $53,603 ten years after entry, $2,640 more than the $50,963 at New York Automotive and Diesel Institute. 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 New York Automotive and Diesel Institute?
New York Automotive and Diesel Institute: its completers carry a median $16,064 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Sarah Lawrence College, a difference of $10,936. 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 64% at New York Automotive and Diesel Institute. 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.