Pitzer vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pitzer College in Claremont, 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 Pitzer based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pitzer vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitzer 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 Lesley University than Pitzer ($32,587 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lesley University are 10.1% lower than at Pitzer College ($19,920 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 90.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $30,936 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.3% higher at Pitzer than at Lesley University (about $30,936 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Pitzer College (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 168.6% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($51,487 vs. $19,167).

Pitzer vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitzer 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 Pitzer.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitzer - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pitzer Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at Pitzer vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Pitzer vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitzer 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).

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Pitzer College earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pitzer College graduates have a $8,425 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($15,895 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Pitzer graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($164 vs. $251).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)

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.