Colgate vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Colgate vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate 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 Colgate University than Lafayette College ($28,736 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 11.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,610 vs. $19,866).
• Colgate University is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $4,908 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Colgate than at Lafayette College (about $4,908 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Colgate University (61% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($58,334 vs. $44,707).

Colgate vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate 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 Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 60 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Colgate 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: Colgate University 1430/1540; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Colgate vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $9,875 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($16,125 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($166 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.