Bentley vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Bentley vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Bentley ($38,442 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 1.4% lower than at Bentley University ($19,866 vs. $20,140).
• Lafayette College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $4,398 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Lafayette College than at Bentley University (about $4,398 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Lafayette College (88% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($44,707 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley 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 Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 70 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Bentley vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley 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).

• The graduation rate at Bentley is the same as at Lafayette College (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.