U of R vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

U of R vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($38,442 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 0.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,792 vs. $19,866).
• University of Rochester is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,682 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at U of R than at Lafayette College (about $1,682 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Lafayette College (72% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($45,500 vs. $44,707).

U of R vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 50 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming U of R 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: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

U of R vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 79%)

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.