Lesley University vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Plaza College 28:1.

Lesley University vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University or Plaza College? 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 Plaza College than Lesley University ($19,860 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plaza College are 22.2% lower than at Lesley University ($15,500 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 121.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $18,806 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.7% higher at Lesley University than at Plaza College (about $18,806 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 187.6% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($19,167 vs. $6,665).

Lesley University vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or Plaza College? 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 Plaza College and Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Plaza College - Test-free.
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 54.9% at Plaza College.

Lesley University vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and Plaza College? 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).

• Graduates from Lesley University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $10,405 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($13,915 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($143 vs. $251).
• More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 30%)

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.