Columbia vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Columbia vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Lafayette College ($22,520 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.5% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,580 vs. $19,866).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $6,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Columbia than at Lafayette College (about $6,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (61% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($67,010 vs. $44,707).

Columbia vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 120 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Columbia vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $26,600 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.