Cornell vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell University than Lafayette College ($26,361 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 2.2% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,428 vs. $19,866).
• Cornell University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $3,916 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Cornell than at Lafayette College (about $3,916 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Cornell University (61% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,779 vs. $44,707).

Cornell vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 110 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Cornell University 1500/1570; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Cornell vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($124 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

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.