BU vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BU vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU 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 University than Lafayette College ($24,420 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 4.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,020 vs. $19,866).
• Boston University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $2,704 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at BU than at Lafayette College (about $2,704 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Boston University (61% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,848 vs. $44,707).

BU vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU 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 BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 50 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming BU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

BU vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU 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 Boston University's (85%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than BU graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $72,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

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.