Lafayette College vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Lafayette College in Easton, PA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette College or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine than Lafayette College ($22,710 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 27.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,474 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 330% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $50,190 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State Brandywine (about $40,006 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Brandywine than at Lafayette College (73% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 390.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($44,707 vs. $9,113).

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lafayette College or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Lafayette College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 230 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette College and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 69%)

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.