UMass vs. Lafayette College

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 59.7%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: UMass. Average net price is $22,948 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: UMass 67% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UMass $55,200 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Massachusetts Amherst Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
UMass59.7%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
UMass1310-1500
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
UMass $15,494 less
UMass$22,948
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
UMass $47,626 less
UMass$17,772
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
UMass $24,949 less
UMass$40,449
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +21 pts
UMass67%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$25,800
UMass$55,200
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UMass 50,261
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • UMass 30,020
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • UMass 59.7%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UMass 17.9%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UMass 1410
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • UMass 31
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • UMass 3.99
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • UMass A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UMass Exceptional
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • UMass Low
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • UMass 1310-1500
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • UMass 30-33
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • UMass Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UMass Jan 15, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UMass $17,772
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UMass $40,449
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • UMass $16,710
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • UMass $22,948
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • UMass $13,110
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UMass 81%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • UMass 67%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UMass $55,200
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UMass 76%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UMass $24,000
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UMass $248
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UMass 17:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • UMass
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • UMass Amherst, MA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • UMass Town Fringe
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UMass 31,726
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • UMass Public 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UMass #169
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 15.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,710 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 61.7% higher at Lafayette College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $24,949 more per year; $65,398 vs. $40,449).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Lafayette College (81% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 241% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($44,707 vs. $13,110).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Lafayette College than at UMass (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UMass and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UMass average a 3.99 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 76%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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