Oberlin vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oberlin vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin 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 Lafayette College than Oberlin ($38,442 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 1.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,510 vs. $19,866).
• Oberlin College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,968 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Oberlin than at Lafayette College (about $1,968 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Lafayette College (99% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($44,707 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin 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 Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 10 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Oberlin students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Oberlin vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin 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).

• The graduation rate at Oberlin is the same as at Lafayette College (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $37,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $579 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

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.