BU vs. Lafayette College

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

Boston University
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
BU $14,022 less
BU$24,420
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,704 less
BU$68,102
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,704 less
BU$68,102
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +3 pts
BU85%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$9,000
BU$72,000
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 4.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,020 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at BU than at Lafayette College (about $2,704 more per year; $68,102 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Boston University (61% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,848 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BU than at Lafayette College (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 82%).

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

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