Carnegie Mellon vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon University than Lafayette College ($35,552 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 8.6% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,166 vs. $19,866).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $848 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Lafayette College (about $848 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Carnegie Mellon University (61% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($48,107 vs. $44,707).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 110 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($268 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.