George Washington vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

George Washington vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($38,442 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 14.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,920 vs. $19,866).
• George Washington University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $2,312 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at George Washington than at Lafayette College (about $2,312 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Lafayette College (78% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 19.2% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($44,707 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is the same as at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming George Washington students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

George Washington vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $500 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $1,038 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,962 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

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.