A student's cost of attendance includes direct costs (payable to the College) and indirect costs (not payable to the College). Details regarding direct costs by graduate program can be found below. Additionally, we provide estimated indirect costs that graduate students can expect each year of enrollment at the College.
2025–2026 Tuition
Masters Degree Programs: Full-Time Tuition
| Program | Total # of Credits for Degree | Full-Time Tuition Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Teaching | 68 |
$36,044 |
| Art of Teaching and Child Development, Dual | 99 |
$36,044 |
| Child Development | 48 | $36,004 |
| Dance | 48 | $35,802 |
| Dance/Movement Therapy | 60 | $36,186 |
| Human Genetics | 70 | $39,852 |
| Theatre | 48 | $35,802 |
| Writing | 44 | $37,226 |
Typical time to degree for full-time students is two years/four semesters (three years/six semesters for Dual Degree).
MFA Writing Program: Half-Time Tuition
Students are considered half time if they take 5 to 6 credits per semester.
| Program | Total # of Credits for Degree | Half-Time Tuition Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| MFA Writing Half-Time | 44 | $20,306 |
Typical time to degree for half-time MFA Writing students is four years/eight semesters.
Masters Degree Programs: Part-Time Per Credit Rate
In most programs, students are considered part time if they take fewer than ten credits per semester. MFA Writing program students who take fewer than ten credits per semester are typically half-time, taking 5 or 6 credits per semester. Students interested in taking fewer than ten credits per semester should consult with their program director to confirm their program plans.
| Program | Total # of Credits for Degree | Per Credit Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Teaching | 68 |
$1,166 |
| Art of Teaching and Child Development, Dual Degree | 99 |
$1,166 |
| Child Development | 48 | $1,650 |
| Dance | 48 | $1,641 |
| Dance/Movement Therapy | 60 | $1,327 |
| Human Genetics | 70 | $1,252 |
| Theatre | 48 | $1,641 |
| Writing | 44 | $1,861 |
Typical time to degree for part-time students is four years/eight semesters (six years/twelve semesters for Dual Degree).
Child Development & Social Work Dual Degree with NYU
| Program | Total # of Credits Taken at SLC | Full-Time Tuition (Paid Only in Year One)* |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Social Work, Dual | 38 | $55,948 |
Typical time to degree for full-time students is four semesters/two years at Sarah Lawrence and four semesters/two years at NYU. Note that in the third year, semesters overlap.
*Child Development and Social Work Dual Degree students do not pay Sarah Lawrence tuition in their second or third year of the program. Child Development and Social Work Dual Degree students spend their first year at Sarah Lawrence and their second and third year at NYU. These students only come back to Sarah Lawrence to complete their thesis in their third year. In this third year, students take 14 credits and are billed a maintenance of matriculation fee of $400 per semester only. They are not eligible for health insurance, as they are full time at NYU and covered there. They do not pay health services fees.
Advanced Certificate Programs
| Program | Total # of Credits for Certificate | Per Credit Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education Advanced Certificate | 17 |
$1,166 |
Combined Degree Programs for SLC Undergrads
Five- Year Programs
| Program | Total # of Credits for Masters Degree | Full-Time Tuition Year Five for 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Teaching (BA/MSEd) | 68 |
$36,044 |
| Child Development BA & MA | 48 |
$36,044 |
| Dance/Movement Therapy BA & MS* | 60 |
$36,186 |
*In the summer between their fourth and fifth year, DMT BA/MS students take Fieldwork (2 credits) and Clinical Fieldwork Orientation (3 credits) and pay for these courses at the part time per credit rate.
Six- Year Programs
| Program | Total # of Credits for Masters Degree | Full-Time Tuition Year Five for 2025-2026 |
Tuition Year Six for 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Degree in the Art of Teaching & Child Development BA & MSEd & MA | 99 |
$36,044 |
$36,044 |
| Dual Degree in Child Development and Social Work BA & MA & MSW | 38 |
Students Pay NYU Tuition Only |
$10,000 |
2025–2026 Fees
Fees for All Programs
Health Services Fee: $344/year
Note: In their second and third years (or fifth and sixth years for Combined Degree Students), Child Development and Social Work Dual Degree students are not eligible for SLC health insurance, as they are full time at NYU and covered there. They do not pay the SLC health services fees.
Matriculation Status Fee: $400
Students on leave from the College who wish to maintain their matriculation status are charged a fee. The fee is per semester.
Health Insurance Rates
- Academic Year (August 15, 2025 – August 14, 2026) : $5,119
- Fall 2025 only (August 15 – December 31, 2025): $1,950
(For students graduating in December 2025) - Spring/Summer 2025 only (January 1 – August 14, 2026) : $3,169
(For students enrolled in January 2026)
Students MUST complete a Health Insurance Waiver to opt out of Sarah Lawrence's Health Insurance.
Thesis Summer Extension Fee: $500
If students have completed all requirements but their thesis by May 1, they may be eligible for a short thesis summer extension. To be eligible for the thesis extension, the student must have made adequate thesis progress for the thesis adviser and program director to confirm that the thesis is almost complete and can be completed within a month. Permission of thesis advisor and program director required. Students’ graduation date will be posted as August 1.
Thesis Completion Fee: $1,500
Students who need an extra semester (summer, fall, or spring) to complete their thesis after their scheduled thesis completion date pay this fee per semester of thesis extension.
Course Repeats and Independent Studies
Students who need to repeat a course or who need to take an independent study are charged the per credit rate.
Meal Plan (optional)
Graduate Students are welcome to sign up for the College’s Meal Plan D although they are not required to do so. Please see plan details and pricing here.
Enrolled Graduate Students who wish to sign up for this meal plan should visit the Meal Plan Options page on MySLC (login required) for instructions on how to sign up for Meal Plan D.
Students who sign up for a meal plan can pay in full or enroll in the Nelnet payment plan. Students with existing Nelnet payment plans may include the meal plan charges into their plans.
2025–2026 Personal Expenses
Personal Expenses (estimated)
- Living Expenses: $19,348
- Books/Supplies: $1,000
- Personal: $800
- Loan Fee: $216