Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Easton, Pennsylvania
31.5% Acceptance Rate
Lafayette College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
31.5%Acceptance Rate
3.53Avg GPA
1419Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$78,854Annual Cost
$91,410Grad Salary
10.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
31.5%
Avg GPA
3.53
Avg SAT
1419
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1340–1490
ACT Middle 50%
30–33
Need-Based Aid
10.3% receive Pell
Lafayette College, established in 1826 in Easton, Pennsylvania, is a top-ranked liberal arts institution renowned for combining rigorous humanities with exceptional engineering (one of few liberal arts colleges offering ABET-accredited programs). The college's 340-acre campus features the $75 million Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center (with maker spaces and 3D printing labs) alongside historic landmarks like Colton Chapel. Lafayette's engineering programs particularly mechanical and electrical boast a 100% career placement rate, while its Economics department is nationally ranked for undergraduate research output. Unique offerings include the Dyer Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Technology Clinic solving real-world industry problems.
Lafayette's 'Connected Communities' strategic plan emphasizes:
Lafayette College Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 31.5%, Lafayette College rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What Lafayette College Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 31.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.08
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lafayette College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Lafayette College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Regular Decision
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lafayette College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lafayette College is 3.53. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.23 and 3.53? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.73–3.93.Lafayette College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.13 – 3.32
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.12
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One optional supplemental essay: "Why Lafayette?" (20-200 words) - technically optional but functions as a demonstrated-interest signal.
- ~34% acceptance rate; located in Easton, PA.
- Replaces federal loans with grants for domestic students with family income ?$200,000 (as of 2024-25 entering class).
- EXCEL Scholars program pairs students with faculty research mentors starting as early as first year.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lafayette College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Lafayette College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lafayette College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Lafayette College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Lafayette College Without SAT or ACT?
Lafayette College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lafayette College Average SAT Score: 1419
The average SAT score of admitted students at Lafayette College is 1419 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1419 — Very Competitive
A 1419 average puts Lafayette College well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1490 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lafayette College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1340, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Lafayette College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 715 | 670 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 700 | 670 | 730 |
| SAT Composite | 1419 | 1340 | 1490 |
Below 1340, you're behind most admitted students; at 1490 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Lafayette College with a 1500 SAT?
A 1500 SAT puts you ahead of most of Lafayette College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Lafayette College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Lafayette College is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 32 |
| ACT English | 33 | 31 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 30 | 33 |
Can I get into Lafayette College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Lafayette College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Lafayette College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lafayette College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Lafayette College rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Write the optional "Why Lafayette" essay anyway - treat it as effectively required
Lafayette's supplement is a single 20-200 word "Why Lafayette?" prompt, technically optional - but skipping it in a 34% acceptance-rate applicant pool signals lower demonstrated interest; name a specific program (like EXCEL Scholars, which pairs students directly with a faculty mentor on original research from year one) rather than generic campus praise.
If your family income is $200,000 or below, understand Lafayette replaces loans with grants automatically
Starting with students entering 2024-25, Lafayette swaps offered federal loans for grant funding for domestic students whose family income is $200,000 or less (with typical assets) - this isn't something you apply for separately; it's built into how your need-based aid package is calculated once you submit FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC documentation.
Name EXCEL Scholars specifically if you want research experience as a first-year
Unlike many peer schools where undergraduate research starts junior year, Lafayette's EXCEL Scholars program connects students directly with faculty mentors on original research starting early - reference a specific department or professor's research area in your essay or an interview to signal you understand this is a first-year-accessible opportunity, not a later add-on.
If you're a state-grant-eligible student from a reciprocal state, apply for that grant in parallel
Lafayette confirms state grants may be available for students from a specific list of states (including PA, MD, CT, MA, OH, and others) - check your home state's eligibility and apply for that grant alongside your Lafayette financial aid application, since Lafayette explicitly expects eligible students to pursue both.
Expert Insight:
Because Lafayette's supplemental essay is optional, applicants sometimes treat it as unnecessary - but in a competitive, need-blind-adjacent applicant pool, skipping demonstrated-interest signals like this essay can genuinely disadvantage an otherwise strong application.
Lafayette College Profile
Full Name
Lafayette College
City
Easton
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18042-1768
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Lafayette College Degree Worth It?
At $78,854/year against a $91,410 median graduate salary, Lafayette College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $85,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.94%.
How much does a degree from Lafayette College Cost?
The sticker price is $78,854/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
10.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 21.1% take federal loans at Lafayette College. File your FAFSA early and list Lafayette College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Lafayette College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $91,410. That's about 125% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lafayette College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 1383 | 31 |
| Bard College | Annandale-On-Hudson, NY | 1387 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lafayette College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lafayette College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
Degree Programs at Lafayette College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lafayette College Admissions
Lafayette College graduates typically earn around $91,410 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $78,854 a year, Lafayette College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Lafayette College's Pell Grant rate of 10.3% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 31.5%, Lafayette College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Lafayette College average a 3.53 GPA.
Lafayette College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.23 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.13, Lafayette College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Lafayette College — aim above 1419, ideally within the 1340–1490 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Lafayette College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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