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Lafayette College vs Haverford College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Easton PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Haverford PA

The verdict

Lafayette College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $137,732 in 3.2 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $91,410 vs $79,966 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLafayette CollegeHaverford College
Net price / yr$34,433$25,314
Total net cost$137,732$101,256
Median earnings, 10 yrs$91,410$79,966
Median debt$16,000$13,621
Payback3.2 yrs3.2 yrs
20-year net return$723,268$530,864

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Lafayette College or Haverford College?

Haverford College, at $25,314 a year after aid versus $34,433 — a gap of $9,119 a year, or $36,476 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lafayette College or Haverford College graduates earn more?

Lafayette College graduates report a median $91,410 ten years after entry, $11,444 more than the $79,966 at Haverford College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Lafayette College or Haverford College?

Haverford College: its completers carry a median $13,621 in federal loans versus $16,000 at Lafayette College, a difference of $2,379. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Haverford College, against 88% at Lafayette College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Lafayette College vs Haverford College: frequently asked questions

Is Lafayette College or Haverford College a better value?
Lafayette College. It clears its $137,732 net cost in about 3.2 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $91,410 vs $79,966 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Lafayette College or Haverford College?
Haverford College: $25,314/yr net price after aid versus $34,433/yr at Lafayette College — a difference of $9,119 a year, or about $36,476 over four years.
Do Lafayette College or Haverford College graduates earn more?
Lafayette College graduates earn a median $91,410 ten years after entry, versus $79,966 at Haverford College — a $11,444 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.