Carnegie Mellon vs. Lafayette College

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

Carnegie Mellon University
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carnegie Mellon (11.7% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carnegie Mellon. Average net price is $35,552 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Carnegie Mellon 87% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carnegie Mellon $102,700 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Carnegie Mellon University Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Carnegie Mellon more selective
Carnegie Mellon11.7%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carnegie Mellon higher
Carnegie Mellon1500-1570
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Carnegie Mellon $2,890 less
Carnegie Mellon$35,552
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $848 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $848 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +1 pts
Carnegie Mellon87%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carnegie Mellon +$21,700
Carnegie Mellon$102,700
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carnegie Mellon 33,941
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Carnegie Mellon 3,959
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 11.7%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carnegie Mellon 45.7%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 1540
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 34
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carnegie Mellon 3.89
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carnegie Mellon A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carnegie Mellon Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carnegie Mellon Very High
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 1500-1570
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 34-35
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Carnegie Mellon $18,166
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Carnegie Mellon $35,552
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon $48,107
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon 51%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 87%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carnegie Mellon $102,700
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carnegie Mellon 91%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carnegie Mellon $26,250
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carnegie Mellon $271
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carnegie Mellon 5:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carnegie Mellon
    • Engineering (26%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Carnegie Mellon Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carnegie Mellon 15,888
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Carnegie Mellon Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carnegie Mellon #45
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 8.6% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,166 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Lafayette College (about $848 more per year; $66,246 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Carnegie Mellon University (61% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($48,107 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Lafayette College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carnegie Mellon and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carnegie Mellon average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($268 vs. $271).
  • More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 91%).

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

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