Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Lafayette College
- Babson Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 12
- Lafayette Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Lafayette College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Babson College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,514 compared to Lafayette College's $34,433 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Lafayette College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 36% more than Lafayette College
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 17% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Lafayette
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,433, roughly $6,081 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Lafayette in Social Sciences (30%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Lafayette College. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $91,410.
Pick Lafayette College over Babson College. Net price $34,433 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over Lafayette College. 2.8% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Babson College over Lafayette College. 93% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Lafayette College are close on paper, but Babson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Babson College is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while Lafayette College takes 31%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,424.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Babson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Lafayette College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,433, about $6,081 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $20,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $24,324 before any change in aid. Choosing Lafayette College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $91,410 at Lafayette College. That is a 36% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 36% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Babson College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Lafayette College, it is 1.6%. Babson College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Lafayette College to keep costs and debt down; pick Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Lafayette College saves about $6,081 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $32,528 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Lafayette College leans toward Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,514 runs well above Lafayette College's $34,433.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $20,000, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
- Engineering-focused students: Lafayette College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Lafayette College has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Babson holds onto its admits more tightly: 39% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Lafayette — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Lafayette (38.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 27.5%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of 31%, Lafayette College in Easton, PA, is an appealing choice for students who are ready to engage deeply with their education in a supportive community. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Studies, Psychology, and Visual and Performing Arts. The college’s emphasis on collaborative learning and hands-on experiences really stands out, making it a place where students can explore their passions while also preparing for their careers.
After graduation, Lafayette alumni can expect to earn an impressive average of $91,410 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure highlights the strong return on investment that a Lafayette education can offer. With a graduation rate of 88%, it’s clear that students are not just enrolling here; they’re succeeding. This high success rate indicates that the college is effectively supporting students in their academic journeys, and that many are moving on to thriving careers.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid is around $34,433, with a median debt load of $16,000 for graduates. This manageable debt level suggests that students can graduate with less financial burden, allowing them to focus on their careers and life after college. Lafayette tends to attract motivated individuals who are eager to make the most of their college experience, contributing to a vibrant campus culture where students thrive both academically and socially.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Lafayette leads with Sociology (30%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Lafayette).
The two schools feed different job markets. Babson College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Lafayette College concentrates in Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Lafayette College?
Babson College is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 31% at Lafayette College.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Lafayette College?
Lafayette College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,433 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or Lafayette College graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $91,410 at Lafayette College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Lafayette College?
Babson College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Babson College vs Lafayette College: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Babson College or Lafayette College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Lafayette College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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