BC vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BC vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC 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 Boston College than Lafayette College ($32,519 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 4.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,916 vs. $19,866).
• Boston College is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $5,304 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at BC than at Lafayette College (about $5,304 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Boston College (61% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 27.4% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($56,971 vs. $44,707).

BC vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC 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 BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 60 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming BC 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: Boston College 1440/1540; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

BC vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC 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).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($196 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

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.