Emerson vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Emerson vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($38,442 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,866 vs. $20,920).
• Lafayette College is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $8,342 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Emerson College (about $8,342 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Lafayette College (77% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 65.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($44,707 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 80 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Emerson vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

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.