Dean College vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Dean College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College or Lesley University? 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 Dean College than Lesley University ($32,085 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dean College are 0.3% lower than at Lesley University ($19,864 vs. $19,920).
• Dean College is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $12,270 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at Dean College than at Lesley University (about $12,270 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dean College as at Lesley University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 72% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($32,958 vs. $19,167).

Dean College vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University and Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Dean College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College and Lesley University? 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Lesley University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $7,967 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($16,353 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($169 vs. $251).
• More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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.