Colby College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Colby College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College 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 Colby College than Lafayette College ($16,219 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 9.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,890 vs. $19,866).
• Colby College is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $4,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Colby College than at Lafayette College (about $4,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Colby College (61% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 54.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($69,201 vs. $44,707).

Colby College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College 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 Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Colby College 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: Colby College 1460/1550; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College 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 Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Colby College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.