Columbia vs. Lafayette College

Columbia University in the City of New York and Lafayette College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia University in the City of New York
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Columbia 93% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia $107,600 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia University in the City of New York Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Columbia4%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Columbia1510-1580
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Columbia $15,922 less
Columbia$22,520
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $6,447 less
Columbia$71,845
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $6,447 less
Columbia$71,845
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Columbia +5 pts
Columbia93%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$26,600
Columbia$107,600
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia 4%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia 1550
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia 34
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia Extreme
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia $67,010
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia 52%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia 93%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia 76%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia $222
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Columbia Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia #22
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.5% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,580 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Columbia than at Lafayette College (about $6,447 more per year; $71,845 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (61% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($67,010 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Columbia than at Lafayette College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Columbia and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia 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 64.9% at Columbia vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 76%).

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

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