Princeton vs. Lafayette College

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

Princeton University
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Princeton University Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Princeton $23,129 less
Princeton$15,313
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Princeton $2,710 less
Princeton$62,688
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Princeton $2,710 less
Princeton$62,688
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Princeton +8 pts
Princeton96%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$32,900
Princeton$113,900
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Princeton Check my chances at Lafayette College
  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 1.9% lower than at Princeton University ($19,866 vs. $20,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Lafayette College than at Princeton University (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Lafayette College (67% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($68,727 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Princeton than at Lafayette College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($77 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 83%).

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.

Princeton University
Lafayette College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges