Head-to-Head Comparison
Lafayette College vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Lafayette Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 18
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Lafayette College achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 79%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $34,433 compared to Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689 for in-state paths. Students who choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,881 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Lafayette
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- 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
Saint Joseph's
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,689, roughly $4,744 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Lafayette graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (30% of degrees); Saint Joseph's in Business & Marketing (39%). 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 Lafayette College over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment vs $86,881.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Lafayette College. Net price $29,689 vs $34,433.
Pick Lafayette College over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. 88% completion rate vs 79%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Lafayette College and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,424 to 1,258.
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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,689, about $4,744 a year below Lafayette College's $34,433. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $18,976 before any change in aid. Choosing Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Lafayette College graduates report median earnings of $91,410, compared with $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Lafayette College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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 79%. 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia to keep costs and debt down; pick Lafayette College 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. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia saves about $4,744 a year, yet Lafayette College graduates earn $4,529 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, Engineering, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,433 runs well above Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689.
- Business and consulting-track students: Lafayette College has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,500, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
- Engineering-focused students: Lafayette College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's enrollment of 4,948 far exceeds Lafayette College's 2,757.
Full Data Breakdown
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
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.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Lafayette College and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia appear together in 4 rankings. On the Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania, Lafayette College ranks #3 — Lafayette College outranks Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia by 40 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Lafayette's top program is Sociology (30% of enrollment), while Saint Joseph's leads with Business Administration (39%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Lafayette) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's).
The two schools feed different job markets. Lafayette College is strongest in Social Sciences, Engineering, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions. 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Lafayette College is harder to get into, admitting 31% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Lafayette College or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,689 after aid versus $34,433 at Lafayette College.
Do Lafayette College or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Lafayette College graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Lafayette College or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Lafayette College has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 79%.
Should you choose Lafayette College or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Lafayette 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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