AU vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

AU vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Lafayette College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lafayette College than AU ($38,442 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 9.5% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,982 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $6,627 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Lafayette College than at American University (about $6,627 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Lafayette College (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 23% larger than aid received by American University students ($44,707 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Lafayette College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lafayette College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 60 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

AU vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Lafayette College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.