MIT vs. Lafayette College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Lafayette College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIT (4.5% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: MIT. Average net price is $20,996 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: MIT 93% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MIT $142,100 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
MIT more selective
MIT4.5%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MIT higher
MIT1520-1580
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
MIT $17,446 less
MIT$20,996
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
MIT $3,002 less
MIT$62,396
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
MIT $3,002 less
MIT$62,396
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
MIT +5 pts
MIT93%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
MIT +$61,100
MIT$142,100
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MIT 28,232
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • MIT 1,284
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • MIT 4.5%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MIT 85.8%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MIT 1550
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • MIT 35
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • MIT 3.96
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • MIT A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • MIT Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • MIT Extreme
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • MIT 1520-1580
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • MIT 34-36
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • MIT Required
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MIT Jan 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • MIT $20,280
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • MIT $20,996
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • MIT $61,734
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MIT 59%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • MIT 93%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MIT $142,100
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • MIT 92%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MIT $17,316
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MIT $179
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MIT 3:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • MIT
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (13%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • MIT Cambridge, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • MIT Midsize City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • MIT 11,886
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • MIT Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MIT #8
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 2% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,866 vs. $20,280).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Lafayette College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,002 more per year; $65,398 vs. $62,396).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (61% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 38.1% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,734 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MIT than at Lafayette College (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at MIT, test optional at Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MIT average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,684 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($17,316 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($179 vs. $268).
  • More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation (92% 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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