Loras College vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, IA with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loras College 12:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Loras College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras College or Lesley 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 Loras College than Lesley University ($21,631 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 44.8% lower than at Lesley University ($11,000 vs. $19,920).
• Loras College is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $5,568 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at Loras College than at Lesley University (about $5,568 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Loras College as at Lesley University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($28,835 vs. $19,167).

Loras College vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Lesley University (96.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Loras College vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Loras College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras College and Lesley 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).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 63%)

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.