Lafayette College vs. Penn State

Lafayette College and Penn State Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Lafayette College
Penn State Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 60.6%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State. Average net price is $27,889 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs Penn State 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs Penn State $55,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Lafayette College Penn State Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
Penn State60.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
Penn State1240-1420
Average net price
Penn State $10,553 less
Lafayette College$38,442
Penn State$27,889
In-state tuition
Penn State $44,754 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Penn State$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State $23,608 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Penn State$41,790
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +1 pts
Lafayette College88%
Penn State87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$25,700
Lafayette College$81,000
Penn State$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Lafayette College and Penn State with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Lafayette College Check my chances at Penn State
  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Penn State 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Penn State -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • Penn State Low
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • Penn State 1240-1420
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Penn State 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Penn State 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Penn State $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • Penn State #185

Comparable Facts

Compare Lafayette College in Easton, PA with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 27.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,474 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56.5% higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State Main Campus (about $23,608 more per year; $65,398 vs. $41,790).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Penn State Main Campus (61% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 294.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($44,707 vs. $11,336).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and Penn State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($268 vs. $277).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 69%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Lafayette College
Penn State Main Campus
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges