MHC vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

MHC vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College than Lafayette College ($32,526 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Holyoke College are 0.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,684 vs. $19,866).
• Mount Holyoke College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,620 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at MHC than at Lafayette College (about $1,620 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Lafayette College (77% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($52,418 vs. $44,707).

MHC vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 30 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming MHC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

MHC vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $31,000 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $4,794 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($21,206 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($219 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 77%)

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.