Purchase College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Purchase College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Lafayette College ($18,211 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 17.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,436 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 630.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $56,445 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.6% higher at Lafayette College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $46,195 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Lafayette College (72% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 328.6% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($44,707 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 150 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Purchase College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $40,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 65%)

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.