Menlo vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Menlo College 14:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Menlo vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo or Lesley University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Menlo College than Lesley University ($32,563 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Menlo College are 8.5% lower than at Lesley University ($18,236 vs. $19,920).
• Menlo College is 56.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $19,374 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.6% higher at Menlo than at Lesley University (about $19,374 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College as at Lesley University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 104.4% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($39,174 vs. $19,167).

Menlo vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo or Lesley University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lesley University and Menlo.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Menlo (3.3).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Menlo (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.3% at Menlo vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Menlo vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo and Lesley University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lesley University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Menlo College's (34%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Menlo College graduates have a $3,258 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($21,062 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Menlo graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($217 vs. $251).
• More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Menlo students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.