Wellesley vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Wellesley vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Lafayette College ($22,174 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 5.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,866 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,778 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Wellesley than at Lafayette College (about $1,778 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Wellesley College (61% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($64,116 vs. $44,707).

Wellesley vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 80 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Wellesley vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $17,100 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($8,900 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($92 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.