As Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” And this interest grows tenfold when you choose the best place to invest i.e., the best university. The better the university, the better the resources, and the better the results. But how to know which one among the best universities is better for you? Simple! by comparison. We compare the countries they are in, the courses they offer, tuition fees, faculties, resources, and the best of all the placement ratio. Here in this article, we will compare two of the top universities: Colgate University and Lafayette College.
Both Lafayette College and Colgate University are private, 4-year schools. While Colgate University having higher SAT requirements and lower acceptance rates ranked 38th in America’s Top Colleges 2021 by Forbes, Lafayette University with lower tuition fees and higher acceptance rates ranked 68th on the list.
Colgate University vs. Lafayette College
Below are the differences in rankings, SAT and ACT requirements, tuition fees, campus, financial aid granted, and other factors to consider while deciding between the two.
Campus and facilities:
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY |
| Located in Lehigh Valley, Easton, Pennsylvania | Located in Hamilton Village, Hamilton, New York. |
| Stretched over 340 acres of land. | Stretched over 575 acres of land |
| Is situated in Suburbs; away from the city in an urbanized area. | Is situated in town; about 35 miles from the urbanized area. |
Rankings:
Lafayette College and Colgate University are both non-profit Liberal Arts colleges in the United States that were founded in the 1800s. These two universities’ rankings have changed numerous times over the years, but they have maintained their place among the top colleges in the United States. According to the most recent data and ranking for 2021:
| REPORTS AND LISTS | LAFAYETTE COLLEGE RANK | COLGATE UNIVERSITY RANK |
| In Liberal Arts colleges | ||
| U.S. News & World Report | 38 | 20 |
| Washington Monthly | 21 | 22 |
| National | ||
| Forbes | 68 | 46 |
| THE/WSJ | 74 | 48 |
Admission:
| CRITERIA | LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY |
| Test scores requirement | ||
| SAT | 1345 | 1385 |
| ACT | 31 | 32 |
| GPA | 3.51 | 3.88 |
| Acceptance rate | 36% | 27% |
| Enrollment rate | 26% | 35% |
With higher SAT, ACT, and GPA score requirements and lower acceptance rates, Colgate University has more stringent admission criteria than that of Lafayette School, yet its enrollment rate is greater than Lafayette College.
Enrollment:
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | |
| Total enrollment | 2514 | 3054 |
| Undergraduate population | 2514 | 3042 |
| Graduate population | NIL | 12 |
| Online programme enrollment | 2514 | 541 |
| Female students to male students ratio | 51:49 | 55:45 |
Tuition Fees and Costs:
| TYPE | LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY |
| In- State tuition fee | $58,110 | $63,904 |
| Campus room fee | $10,720 | $7,778 |
| Board fee | $6,616 | $8,328 |
| Net Fee | $76,704 | $80,396 |
| Avg. Financial Aid | $38,631 | $43,663 |
- In-state tuition at Colgate University is 9.06 percent higher than at Lafayette College.
- Colgate University charges 7.11 percent less than Lafayette College for on-campus room and board.
- Colgate University’s net fee costs exceed those of Lafayette University by 4.59 percent.
- The average financial aid provided by Colgate University is 11.52 percent more than Lafayette University.
For more information about the types and criteria for Financial aid granted;
- Click here for Colgate University Financial Aid
- Click here for Lafayette College Financial Aid
Faculty:
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | |
| Number of faculties | 296 | 356 |
| Student to faculty ratio | 10 to 1 | 9 to 1 |
| Average Faculty salary | $105,043 | $108,775 |
Graduation Outcomes:
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 88% | 92% |
| Average Earnings (after 10 years) | $81,000 | $75,300 |
| Transfer Rate | 8% | 7% |
| Retention Rate | 93% | 94% |
| Student loan payment rates | 91% | 86% |
| Average loan payments | $268 | $166 |
The easiest approach to compare any two universities is to look at the results they produce;
- Colgate University’s graduation rate is higher than Lafayette University’s.
- Colgate University has 1% more students who finish their academic term than Lafayette University.
- Lafayette alumni earn $5,700 more on average than Colgate grads ten years after graduation.
- On average, Colgate grads pay $166 on federal loans, which is $102 less than Lafayette graduates.
- In three years following graduation, around 5% more Lafayette alumni are repaying their loans than Colgate grads.
Courses and Degrees offered
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | |
| Degrees offered | Bachelor’s | Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| Most popular majors | Social SciencesEngineeringBiological and Biomedical SciencesPsychologyVisual and Performing ArtsForeign Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsComputer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesHistoryArea, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group StudiesPhysical Sciences | Political Science and Government, GeneralEconometrics and Quantitative EconomicsEconomics, GeneralComputer ScienceEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralNeuroscienceInternational Relations and AffairsResearch and Experimental PsychologySociology, GeneralMolecular Biology |
Documents required for applying:
While applying for any of these universities keep the following documents in your hand.
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | |
| High School GPA | Required | Required |
| High School transcript | Required | Required |
| College Preparatory programme | Completion required | Completion required |
| Letter Of Recommendation | Required | Required |
| Admission test scores | Required | Required |
| TOEFL Score | Required | Required |
| SAT score | Not compulsory | Not compulsory |
| ACT score | Not compulsory | Not compulsory |
| Accepted credits | Dual CreditsAdvanced Placement (AP) credits | Dual CreditsAdvanced Placement (AP) credits |
| Admission interview | Not required or recommended | Recommended |
Conclusion:
Comparison always makes one thing appear to be better than the other. But just because it’s better for the majority doesn’t mean it’ll be better for you too. So, despite the differences between universities, always choose what is best for you. This article’s comparison of Colgate University and Lafayette University will assist you in deciding which is best for you.
FAQs
- Can I get into Colgate University with a 1300 SAT score?
Ans. Following the recent COVID situation, Colgate University has removed the SAT score requirement, and since 1300 is an above-average score, it can get you into Colgate University.
- What is the deadline for applying to Lafayette College?
Ans. 15th of January is the application deadline for Lafayette College.
- What is the application fee for Colgate University?
Ans. The application fee for Colgate University is $60.
- Is an advance deposit required at Colgate or Lafayette?
Ans. No, neither of the two universities requires an advance deposit.
