Harvard vs. Lafayette College

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

Harvard University
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Harvard $20,917 less
Harvard$17,525
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Harvard $3,722 less
Harvard$61,676
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $3,722 less
Harvard$61,676
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Harvard +9 pts
Harvard97%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$55,700
Harvard$136,700
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 6.2% lower than at Harvard University ($19,866 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Lafayette College than at Harvard University (about $3,722 more per year; $65,398 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Harvard University (61% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 52.1% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,015 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Harvard than at Lafayette College (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($6,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $201 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($67 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 70%).

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

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