AU vs. Lafayette College

American University and Lafayette College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $39,676 at AU vs $38,442 at Lafayette College. Lafayette College in-state tuition is about $6,627 more per year.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

American University Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
AU62%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
AU1280-1460
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
About even
AU$39,676
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
AU $6,627 less
AU$58,771
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
AU $6,627 less
AU$58,771
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +11 pts
AU77%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$16,200
AU$64,800
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 9.5% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,982 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Lafayette College than at American University (about $6,627 more per year; $65,398 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Lafayette College (67% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 23% larger than aid received by American University students ($44,707 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lafayette College than at AU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($250 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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