MIT vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

MIT vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Lafayette 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Lafayette College ($20,996 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 2% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,866 vs. $20,280).
• Lafayette College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,002 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Lafayette College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,002 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 38.1% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,734 vs. $44,707).

MIT vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 120 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming MIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

MIT vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Lafayette 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $61,100 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,684 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($17,316 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($179 vs. $268).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.