Lafayette College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lafayette College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette College or Lehigh? 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 Lehigh University than Lafayette College ($34,154 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 13.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,220 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $418 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Lehigh University (about $418 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Lafayette College (65% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($46,731 vs. $44,707).

Lafayette College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lafayette College or Lehigh? 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 Lehigh and Lafayette College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 10 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lehigh (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Lafayette College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette College and Lehigh? 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 Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,744 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.