UL Lafayette vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

UL Lafayette vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette or Fitchburg State? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than Fitchburg State ($13,017 vs. $15,340).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 21.6% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($12,108 vs. $15,452).
• Fitchburg State University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $928 more per year; $11,346.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.6% higher at UL Lafayette than at Fitchburg State University (about $6,720 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($11,762 vs. $11,539).

UL Lafayette vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State and UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 30 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

UL Lafayette vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette and Fitchburg State? 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).

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $3,185 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.