Emerson vs. Lafayette College

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

Emerson College
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lafayette College. Average net price is $38,442 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
Emerson51.3%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
Emerson1270-1420
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Lafayette College $14,990 less
Emerson$53,432
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Emerson $8,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $8,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +7 pts
Emerson81%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$31,800
Emerson$49,200
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,866 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Emerson College (about $8,342 more per year; $65,398 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Lafayette College (77% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 65.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($44,707 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lafayette College than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($242 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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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