Choosing the right college can be a challenging and overwhelming decision, as it often shapes students’ futures and sets the foundation for their careers. In this comprehensive comparison between Lafayette College and Barnard College, we will delve into various aspects of these institutions, such as tuition, admissions, academics, student life, and more, to help students make a well-informed choice.
Lafayette College Overview
Lafayette College is a private liberal arts institution located in Easton, Pennsylvania, offering a wide range of undergraduate programs. Founded in 1826, the college is known for its emphasis on research, experiential learning, and a strong sense of community among its students. With an enrollment of around 2,600 students, Lafayette College provides a personalized learning experience, fostering academic growth, and global awareness.
Lafayette College Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Lafayette College for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $56,540. Room and board expenses amount to around $16,000, bringing the total cost of attendance to nearly $72,540. However, the college offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans, helping students manage their expenses.
Lafayette College Admissions
Admissions at Lafayette College are competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 31%. The college requires applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Interviews and extracurricular involvement are also considered in the admissions process. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1310-1470, while the ACT range is 28-32.
Lafayette College Degrees Offered
Lafayette College offers over 50 majors and minors across various disciplines, including engineering, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Some popular majors include Economics, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology. The college also encourages interdisciplinary studies, giving students the opportunity to combine different fields of interest.
Lafayette College Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 18 students, Lafayette College provides an intimate and supportive learning environment. The college emphasizes research, allowing undergraduate students to collaborate with faculty on projects and present their work at national conferences. Study abroad programs are also widely available, encouraging students to broaden their horizons and enhance their global perspective.
Lafayette College Diversity
Lafayette College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Approximately 20% of the student body are students of color, and around 10% are international students. The college offers various resources and programs, such as the Office of Intercultural Development, aiming to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds.
Lafayette College Students
Lafayette College has a vibrant student life, with over 250 clubs and organizations for students to engage in various interests and activities. Athletics play a significant role in the campus community, with over 23 varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division I level. The college also hosts numerous events and traditions throughout the year, such as the annual Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry football game.
Lafayette College Campus
Situated on a picturesque 340-acre campus, Lafayette College boasts a blend of historic and modern architecture. The college offers a variety of housing options, including traditional residence halls, themed living communities, and apartment-style living. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Kirby Sports Center, the Williams Center for the Arts, and the Skillman Library.
Lafayette College Alumni
Lafayette College has a strong alumni network, with over 29,000 graduates worldwide. Prominent alumni include CEOs, politicians, and scientists, such as Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank, and H. Robert Horvitz, Nobel Prize-winning biologist.
Lafayette College Rankings
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Lafayette College ranks as the #39 National Liberal Arts College. The college also ranks highly for its engineering programs and its commitment to undergraduate teaching.
Lafayette College Outcomes
Graduates from Lafayette College go on to pursue successful careers in various fields, with a 95% placement rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Lafayette graduates is around $60,000.
Barnard College Overview
Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in New York City, affiliated with Columbia University. Founded in 1889, Barnard College offers its students a small, close-knit community with access to the vast resources and opportunities of a major research university. With an enrollment of around 2,600 students, Barnard College is known for empowering and preparing women for leadership roles in various fields.
Barnard College Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Barnard College for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $57,668. Room and board expenses amount to around $17,270, bringing the total cost of attendance to nearly $74,938. However, the college provides financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to help students finance their education.
Barnard College Admissions
Admissions at Barnard College are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 14%. Applicants are required to submit their SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1360-1530, while the ACT range is 31-34.
Barnard College Degrees Offered
Barnard College offers over 50 majors and minors across various disciplines, such as social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and arts. Popular majors include Psychology, Economics, and Biology. Students at Barnard also have the opportunity to take courses and pursue majors at Columbia University, providing them with a wealth of academic options.
Barnard College Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 16 students, Barnard College offers a nurturing and supportive academic environment. The college emphasizes research and experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to work closely with faculty on projects and internships. Study abroad programs are also popular, with approximately 40% of students participating in international experiences during their time at Barnard.
Barnard College Diversity
Barnard College is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Around 30% of the student body are students of color, and approximately 10% are international students. The college offers numerous resources and programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus, such as the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Barnard College Students
Student life at Barnard College is vibrant and engaging, with over 100 clubs and organizations to choose from. Athletics are also popular, with several varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division III level. Students have access to both Barnard’s campus resources and those of Columbia University, providing them with a wide range of activities and events to participate in.
Barnard College Campus
Barnard College is located on a four-acre urban campus in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The college’s historic and modern buildings are situated within a gated, park-like setting, offering students a peaceful retreat amid the bustling city. Housing options include traditional residence halls, suite-style living, and apartment-style accommodations.
Barnard College Alumni
Barnard College boasts a distinguished alumni network, with graduates excelling in various fields such as business, politics, and the arts. Notable alumni include Martha Stewart, Twyla Tharp, and Cynthia Nixon.
Barnard College Rankings
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Barnard College ranks as the #21 National Liberal Arts College. The college is also recognized for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and its study abroad programs.
Barnard College Outcomes
Barnard College graduates go on to pursue successful careers in a range of fields, with a 91% placement rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Barnard graduates is around $58,000.
Lafayette College vs Barnard College Cost Comparison
The cost of attendance at Lafayette College is approximately $72,540, while at Barnard College, it is nearly $74,938. Although the difference in tuition fees is slight, it is essential for students to consider the financial aid options available at each institution, as well as the cost of living in the respective locations, before making a decision.
Lafayette College vs Barnard College Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Lafayette College and Barnard College are competitive, with acceptance rates of 31% and 14%, respectively. Applicants to both colleges are required to submit similar materials, such as test scores, transcripts, recommendations, and essays. However, Barnard College has a slightly more selective admissions process, with higher average test scores for admitted students.
Lafayette College vs Barnard College Academic Difficulty
Both Lafayette College and Barnard College are known for their rigorous academic programs and emphasis on research and experiential learning. Both institutions provide a supportive academic environment with small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios, ensuring personalized attention and close collaboration between students and faculty.
Lafayette College vs Barnard College Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both Lafayette College and Barnard College go on to pursue successful careers in various fields. Lafayette College has a placement rate of 95% within six months of graduation, while Barnard College has a 91% placement rate. The average starting salary for Lafayette graduates is around $60,000, slightly higher than the $58,000 average starting salary for Barnard graduates.
