Lafayette College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lafayette College in Easton, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Lafayette College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette College or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Lafayette College ($22,546 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 25.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,828 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 506.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $54,623 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.4% higher at Lafayette College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $42,799 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at Lafayette College (73% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 683.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($44,707 vs. $5,709).

Lafayette College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 240 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Lafayette College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette College and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.