In this article, we will be comparing two liberal arts institutions, Bryn Mawr College and Sarah Lawrence College. We will explore their costs, admissions process, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus environment, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. By comparing these two colleges, we aim to provide prospective students with the information they need to make an informed decision on which college to attend.
Bryn Mawr College Overview
Bryn Mawr College is a private liberal arts college for women located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1885, it is one of the Seven Sisters colleges and has a rich history of providing quality education to women from around the world. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Bryn Mawr College Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year at Bryn Mawr College is $74,540, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the college offers need-based financial aid packages and merit-based scholarships, making it more affordable for many students.
Bryn Mawr College Admissions
Admission to Bryn Mawr College is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 34%. The college evaluates applicants based on their academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).
Bryn Mawr College Degrees Offered
Bryn Mawr College offers undergraduate degrees in over 35 majors, including Anthropology, Chemistry, Economics, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, and Psychology. In addition, the college offers graduate programs in fields such as Social Work, Clinical Developmental Psychology, and Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology.
Bryn Mawr College Academics
Bryn Mawr College is known for its rigorous academic programs and small class sizes, which enable students to receive personalized attention from faculty members. The college offers a flexible curriculum, allowing students to design their own course of study based on their interests.
Bryn Mawr College Diversity
Bryn Mawr College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The college has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and over 45 countries. Approximately 25% of the students identify as students of color, and 20% are international students.
Bryn Mawr College Students
Bryn Mawr College has a total enrollment of around 1,690 students, with about 1,350 undergraduates and 340 graduate students. The college has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, which ensures that students receive individual attention and support from their professors.
Bryn Mawr College Campus
The Bryn Mawr College campus spans 135 acres and features Gothic architecture, lush green spaces, and modern facilities. The college offers a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. Students also have access to various clubs, organizations, and recreational facilities, such as athletic fields, a fitness center, and a swimming pool.
Bryn Mawr College Alumni
Bryn Mawr College has a strong network of over 21,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include author Marianne Moore, actress Katharine Hepburn, and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
Bryn Mawr College Rankings
Bryn Mawr College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Bryn Mawr was ranked #27 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #23 in Best Value Schools.
Bryn Mawr College Outcomes
Bryn Mawr College has a strong record of student outcomes, with a 6-year graduation rate of approximately 85%. According to PayScale, the average starting salary for Bryn Mawr graduates is around $54,000, and the mid-career salary is $106,000.
Sarah Lawrence College Overview
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college located in Bronxville, New York. Founded in 1926, the college is known for its unique academic structure, which emphasizes individualized learning and close collaboration between students and faculty. Students can choose from a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Sarah Lawrence College Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year at Sarah Lawrence College is $76,194, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Like Bryn Mawr, Sarah Lawrence also offers financial aid packages and merit-based scholarships to help make education more affordable for students.
Sarah Lawrence College Admissions
Admission to Sarah Lawrence College is competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 56%. The college evaluates applicants based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample, but standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are optional.
Sarah Lawrence College Degrees Offered
Sarah Lawrence College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines, including Anthropology, Creative Writing, Film, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology, and Theatre. Students can also design their own interdisciplinary majors, combining courses from different fields.
Sarah Lawrence College Academics
The college’s academic structure emphasizes individualized learning, with students working closely with faculty members to design their own course of study. The average class size is 12 students, ensuring personalized attention for each student.
Sarah Lawrence College Diversity
Sarah Lawrence College has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 60 countries. Approximately 25% of the students identify as students of color, and 20% are international students.
Sarah Lawrence College Students
Sarah Lawrence College has a total enrollment of around 1,675 students, with about 1,400 undergraduates and 275 graduate students. The college has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, providing students with individualized attention and support from faculty.
Sarah Lawrence College Campus
The 44-acre campus of Sarah Lawrence College features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, with wooded areas, gardens, and state-of-the-art facilities. The college offers a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls, townhouses, and apartment-style living. Students can participate in over 100 clubs and organizations, as well as numerous recreational facilities.
Sarah Lawrence College Alumni
Notable alumni of Sarah Lawrence College include film director J.J. Abrams, writer Alice Walker, and actress Yancy Butler.
Sarah Lawrence College Rankings
Sarah Lawrence College is ranked #80 among National Liberal Arts Colleges by the U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 rankings. The college is also ranked #54 in Best Value Schools.
Sarah Lawrence College Outcome
The 6-year graduation rate for Sarah Lawrence College is approximately 79%. According to PayScale, the average starting salary for Sarah Lawrence graduates is around $45,000, and the mid-career salary is $96,000.
Bryn Mawr College vs Sarah Lawrence College Cost Comparison
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year at Bryn Mawr College is $74,540, while the estimated cost for Sarah Lawrence College is $76,194. Both colleges offer financial aid packages and merit-based scholarships to help students offset the cost of attendance. Overall, the cost of attendance is higher at Sarah Lawrence, but the difference is relatively small.
Bryn Mawr College vs Sarah Lawrence College Admissions Difficulty
Bryn Mawr College has a lower acceptance rate of 34%, compared to Sarah Lawrence College’s acceptance rate of 56%. This indicates that getting admitted to Bryn Mawr is more competitive than gaining admission to Sarah Lawrence. However, both colleges look for similar qualities in applicants, such as academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.
Bryn Mawr College vs Sarah Lawrence College Academic Difficulty
Both colleges are known for their rigorous academic programs and small class sizes, which allow students to receive personalized attention from faculty members. Bryn Mawr College offers a more traditional curriculum, while Sarah Lawrence College emphasizes individualized learning through close collaboration between students and faculty. The academic difficulty at both institutions is high, and students can expect to be challenged, regardless of the college they choose.
Bryn Mawr College vs Sarah Lawrence College Outcome Comparison
The 6-year graduation rate at Bryn Mawr College is 85%, while the rate at Sarah Lawrence College is 79%. In terms of post-graduation salaries, Bryn Mawr graduates earn an average starting salary of $54,000 and a mid-career salary of $106,000, compared to Sarah Lawrence graduates, who earn an average starting salary of $45,000 and a mid-career salary of $96,000. Based on these factors, Bryn Mawr College appears to have better outcomes for its graduates.
In summary, both Bryn Mawr College and Sarah Lawrence College offer excellent education and opportunities for students. The choice between the two will largely depend on individual preferences for factors such as cost, admissions difficulty, academic structure, and post-graduation outcomes.