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Lafayette College

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Suburb · 2,757 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.lafayette.edu
$34,433
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
88%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$91,410
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
31%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Lafayette College is a premier undergraduate-focused institution best known for seamlessly integrating a traditional liberal arts curriculum with top-ranked, ABET-accredited engineering programs. Academically, the college excels in engineering, economics, and government and law, fostering extensive faculty mentorship through initiatives like the competitive EXCEL Scholars undergraduate research program. Perched on picturesque College Hill overlooking Easton, student life is close-knit and spirited, characterized by high campus involvement, active Greek life, and Division I athletics highlighted by "The Rivalry" against Lehigh University—the most-played matchup in college football history.

Wikipedia:Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter and other citizens in Easton, the college first held classes in 1832. The founders voted to name the college after the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution.

Location
Easton, PA, 18042-1768 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ABE · Lehigh Valley
13 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$65,398
Housing & food (on campus)$19,866
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$92,492
Average net price$34,433
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$65,398
Housing & food (on campus)$19,866
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$92,492
Average net price$34,433
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Lafayette College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$70,486
Housing$12,968
Food$7,928
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$940
Transportation$250
Total published by the school$92,492
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,716
$30–48k
$7,445
$48–75k
$10,881
$75–110k
$12,581
$110k+
$52,608
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$23,965
Share of first-years who get one25%
Source: Lafayette College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
88%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
80%
Back for yr 2
90%
Transferred
10%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
89% graduated · 9% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$80,614
10 yrs after entry$91,410
Debt
Median at graduation$16,000
Monthly payment$170
Middle 50% owe$12k–$27k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
31%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1424
R 670–740 · M 680–760
ACT midpoint
32
Comp 31–33 · E 31–35 · M 27–33
SAT middle 50%: 1350–1500
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 15 2027
binding in 105 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.lafayette.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Lafayette College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Lafayette College's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
From Lafayette College (admissions.lafayette.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Why Lafayette?
    20–200 words · Optional

Quoted from Lafayette College's own page; answered in the Common App. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
12%
First-gen
15%
Family income
$111,341
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
67%
Hispanic
10%
Black
6%
Asian
3%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Co-ed
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$80,614
After 10 yrs
$91,410
Economics100
Political Science and Government71
Mechanical Engineering54
Biology, General50
Neurobiology and Neurosciences48
Research and Experimental Psychology48
Computer and Information Sciences, General33
English Language and Literature, General32
Mathematical Economics29
International Relations and National Security Studies25
Civil Engineering24
Chemical Engineering22
Mathematics22
Sociology and Anthropology20
History18
Natural Resources Conservation and Research14
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.1B
Full-time faculty
87%
Faculty salary
$12,663/mo
Teaching spend
$25,883
per student
Federal loans
20%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Lafayette College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search