Lafayette College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Lafayette College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette College or Messiah University? 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 Messiah University than Lafayette College ($29,408 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 34.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($13,098 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 54.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $23,158 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.8% higher at Lafayette College than at Messiah University (about $23,158 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Lafayette College (100% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 68.2% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($44,707 vs. $26,576).

Lafayette College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 200 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Lafayette College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette College and Messiah University? 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 Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $32,400 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $11 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($25,989 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Messiah University and Lafayette College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messiah University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 85%)

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.