Northeastern vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Northeastern vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern University than Lafayette College ($34,207 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 1.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,580 vs. $19,866).
• Northeastern University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $764 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Northeastern than at Lafayette College (about $764 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Lafayette College (66% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($50,421 vs. $44,707).

Northeastern vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 60 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lafayette College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Northeastern vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($268 vs. $288).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 79%)

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.