Maryland vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Maryland vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park than Lafayette College ($16,581 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 19.7% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,958 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 453.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $53,589 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at Lafayette College than at University of Maryland College Park (about $24,212 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at University of Maryland College Park (61% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 247.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($44,707 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland 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 Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 40 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Maryland 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: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Maryland vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

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.