LRC vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Roche University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 1,309 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

LRC vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than LRC ($22,702 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 9% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($13,390 vs. $14,710).
• La Roche University is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $4,660 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at LRC than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $4,660 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($23,083 vs. $20,152).

LRC vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or W&J? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between W&J and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 60 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming W&J students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman W&J students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at LRC (3.2).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 12.6% at W&J.

LRC vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and W&J? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

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.