Head-to-Head Comparison
Lafayette College vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lafayette Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 18
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Lafayette College achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $34,433 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,054 at ten years.
54 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, 13% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 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
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $20,078 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Lafayette graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (30% of degrees); Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Engineering (21%). 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Lafayette College. Net price $14,355 vs $34,433.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Lafayette College and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,424 to 1,440.
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, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,355, about $20,078 a year below Lafayette College's $34,433. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $80,312 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Lafayette College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign saves about $20,078 a year, yet Lafayette College graduates earn $10,356 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leans toward Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing. 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Lafayette College's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Lafayette College's 2,757.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Lafayette — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Lafayette offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Illinois Urbana-Champaign does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Lafayette, where only about 36% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
Research (Times HE) 4 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.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
More than 36,000 students choose the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 42%, the university maintains a competitive edge while welcoming a diverse student body. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 85%, indicating a supportive environment for student success.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from Illinois Urbana-Champaign can expect solid economic mobility. The average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation reach $81,054, suggesting that degrees from this university translate into significant financial benefits. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s emphasis on high-demand fields like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science supports upward mobility for many graduates.
Cost considerations are crucial for students. The net price for attending is approximately $14,355, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, a figure that aligns with the financial landscape of public universities. Students who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields or business, benefiting from robust programs and a collaborative campus culture.
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Lafayette College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing. 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Lafayette College is harder to get into, admitting 31% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, Lafayette College or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $34,433 at Lafayette College.
Do Lafayette College or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Lafayette College graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Lafayette College or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Lafayette College has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 85%.
Should you choose Lafayette College or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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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