Amherst vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Amherst vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst 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 Amherst College than Lafayette College ($19,049 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,390 vs. $19,866).
• Amherst College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $5,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Amherst than at Lafayette College (about $5,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Amherst College (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 53.4% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,591 vs. $44,707).

Amherst vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst 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 Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 110 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Amherst vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.