UMass vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMass vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst than Lafayette College ($22,948 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 15.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,710 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 268% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $47,626 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.7% higher at Lafayette College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $24,949 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Lafayette College (81% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 241% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($44,707 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 20 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

UMass vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.