Head-to-Head Comparison
Lafayette College vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Lafayette Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 9
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Lafayette College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $34,433 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Lafayette College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Lafayette College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Lafayette
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,433, roughly $8,080 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 31% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 11% more than Lafayette College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Lafayette graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (30% of degrees); Rose-Hulman Technology in Engineering (72%). 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 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Lafayette College. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $91,410.
Pick Lafayette College over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $34,433 vs $42,513.
Pick Lafayette College over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 88% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Lafayette College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Lafayette 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
Lafayette College is the harder admit. It takes 31% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,424 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Lafayette 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 $8,080 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $32,320 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, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $101,253, compared with $91,410 at Lafayette College. That is a 11% advantage. Set against borrowing, Lafayette College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 11% 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
Lafayette College graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Lafayette College to keep costs and debt down; pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Lafayette College saves about $8,080 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $9,843 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. Lafayette College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leans toward Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Lafayette College's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Lafayette College's $34,433.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 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
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.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Rankings They Appear On
Lafayette College is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Lafayette's top program is Sociology (30% of enrollment), while Rose-Hulman Technology leads with Mechanical Engineering (72%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Lafayette) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Lafayette College is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences. 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.
Lafayette
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Lafayette College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Lafayette College is harder to get into, admitting 31% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Lafayette College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Lafayette College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,433 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Lafayette College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $91,410 at Lafayette College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Lafayette College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Lafayette College has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 80%.
Should you choose Lafayette College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Lafayette College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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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