F&M vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

F&M vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M 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 F&M ($38,442 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 18.5% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,188 vs. $19,866).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $5,396 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at F&M than at Lafayette College (about $5,396 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Lafayette College (80% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($44,707 vs. $41,901).

F&M vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M 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 F&M.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 40 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 30/33; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: F&M - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

F&M vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for F&M 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.