Lafayette College vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Lafayette College vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette College or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington than Lafayette College ($19,504 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 23.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,274 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 353.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $50,990 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171% higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State New Kensington (about $41,264 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Lafayette College (94% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 472.5% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($44,707 vs. $7,809).

Lafayette College vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 240 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• 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 New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Lafayette College vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette College and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington 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.