Overview
Lafayette College, situated in Easton, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal arts college known for its strong engineering, business, and humanities programs. The college's campus is home to the Kirby Hall of Civil Rights, dedicated to preserving and promoting civil rights history and education.
There are currently 2,725 undergraduates at Lafayette and the school’s acceptance rate is 34%. The tuition at Lafayette is $59,368.
Lafayette is a Presbyterian school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Presbyterian faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Lafayette to help you make an educated decision.
Essay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$78,854
$41,859
$36,995
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$78,854for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Lafayette is $78,854. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Lafayette would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Lafayette College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Lafayette need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Lafayette is 003284 and the CSS Profile Code is 2361.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Lafayette
Pennsylvania residents considering Lafayette should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarshipsLafayette College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Lafayette has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Lafayette
Lafayette is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Lafayette's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Lafayette College
8% of students at Lafayette College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Lafayette College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Lafayette students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Lafayette College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Lafayette or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://admissions.lafayette.edu/financial-aid/
- Phone: 610-330-5055
Admissions
34%
32
1360 is the median SAT score and 32 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Lafayette. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Does Lafayette have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to Lafayette College will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Lafayette Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Lafayette test-optional?
Lafayette College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Lafayette College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Lafayette College receive between a 30 and a 33 on their ACT, or a 1295 and a 1460 on their SAT.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Lafayette?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Lafayette College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Lafayette?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Lafayette during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Lafayette students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of February 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Lafayette?
Applying to Lafayette with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
10:1
Graduation Rate
89%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
32%
32% of graduates
Engineering
24%
24% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
15%
15% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,725
Pell Grant 9%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 50% / 50%
Ethnic Diversity at Lafayette
68% White
8% Hispanic
8% International / Non-Citizen
5% Black
4% Multiracial
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$91,410
Median Debt $16,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $170
Graduation Rate 89%
What is the graduation rate at Lafayette College?
89% of students who start at Lafayette College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 31% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Lafayette College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Lafayette College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $91,410. This is $41,019 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Lafayette take out in loans?
Graduates of Lafayette have to take out a median of $16,000 in federal student loans. This is $2,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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