Yale vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Yale vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Lafayette College ($22,408 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 0.2% lower than at Yale University ($19,866 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $1,852 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Yale than at Lafayette College (about $1,852 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Yale University (61% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 47.4% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($65,892 vs. $44,707).

Yale vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 90 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Yale vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $37,400 more per year than Lafayette College graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $81,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($13,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($139 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.