Drexel vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Drexel vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Lafayette College than Drexel ($38,442 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 8.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,096 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $2,986 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Lafayette College than at Drexel University (about $2,986 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Lafayette College (100% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($44,707 vs. $35,051).

Drexel vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 90 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Drexel vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $243 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($268 vs. $271).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 77%)

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.