Amherst vs. Lafayette College

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

Amherst College
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Amherst $19,393 less
Amherst$19,049
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $5,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $5,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Amherst +8 pts
Amherst96%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$1,000
Amherst$82,000
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,390 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Amherst than at Lafayette College (about $5,082 more per year; $70,480 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Amherst College (61% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 53.4% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,591 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at Lafayette College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($134 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 83%).

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

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