Princeton vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Princeton vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Lafayette College ($15,313 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 1.9% lower than at Princeton University ($19,866 vs. $20,250).
• Lafayette College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Lafayette College than at Princeton University (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Lafayette College (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,727 vs. $44,707).

Princeton vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 120 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Princeton vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $32,900 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($77 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.