Clark University vs. Lafayette College

Should I go to Clark University or Lafayette College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clark University or Lafayette College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Lehigh Bucknell Villanova Fordham Union College Skidmore College Colgate University of Richmond Trinity College Denison BU Muhlenberg College
Clark University vs. Lafayette College comparison
Clark University Lafayette College College 3 College 4
Clark University Lafayette College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Clark University Lafayette College
Location Worcester, MA Easton, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,124 2,764
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #153 #66
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarku.edu lafayette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clark University Lafayette College
Tuition (In State) $54,760 $61,482
Tuition (Out of State) $54,760 $61,482
Room & Board $11,690 $18,640
Avg Net Price $32,767 $34,728
Avg Grant Aid $31,916 $44,126
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 52%

Admission

Clark University Lafayette College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,730 9,874
Admitted 4,471 3,107
Acceptance Rate 41.7% 31.5%
Enrolled % 14.1% 22.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 30/33 30/33
SAT Range 1240/1400 1340/1490
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Clark University Lafayette College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Engineering (19%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Clark University Lafayette College
Graduation Rate 80% 88%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $81,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 91%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Clark University Lafayette College
% Men 23% 0%
% Women 20% 0%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 67%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 15% 9%
% Unknown Race 8% 7%

Students

Clark University Lafayette College
% In-State 36% 13%
% Out-of-State 60% 79%

Campus

Clark University Lafayette College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clark University is larger than than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (4,124 students vs. 2,764 students)

Clark University vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark University or Lafayette College?

  • Lafayette College is 12.3% more expensive to attend than Clark University for in-state tuition ($61,482.00 vs. $54,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Lafayette College than Clark University ($61,482.00 vs. $54,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clark University than Lafayette College ($32,767 vs. $34,728)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 59.5% lower than costs at Lafayette College ($11,690 vs. $18,640)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than Lafayette College (97% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 38.3% larger than aid received Clark University ($44,126 vs. $31,916)

Clark University vs. Lafayette College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark University or Lafayette College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lafayette College or Clark University .

  • Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Lafayette College (3.53)
  • Clark University has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Lafayette College (31.5%)

Clark University vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clark University or Lafayette College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lafayette College and Clark University.

  • The graduation rate at Lafayette College is higher than Clark University (88% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from Lafayette College earn on average $30,900 more per year than Clark University graduates after ten years. ($81,000 vs. $50,100)
  • Lafayette College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Lafayette College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark University 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/