How this school serves students from different economic backgrounds, including Pell students, first-generation pathways, and long-term mobility outcomes.
Lafayette College demonstrates typical access performance, ranking in the 41.7th percentile with performance around the national average for enrollment of diverse student populations. The institution admits 31.5% of applicants with selective admission standards while enrolling 10.3% Pell-eligible students and 14.8% first-generation students. Transfer students represent 2.6% of enrollment, indicating limited pathways for non-traditional students. Test scores rank among the highest we track nationally, demonstrating Lafayette College maintains academic selectivity alongside limited economic diversity. This combination positions the institution as accessible to academically prepared students while serving fewer low-income and first-generation students than typical four-year institutions.
The relationship between access and mobility at Lafayette College demonstrates how selective institutions can achieve strong individual student outcomes while serving limited populations. Strong earnings outcomes including top 5% low-income earnings performance indicate effective career preparation and alumni networks supporting economic advancement. The minimal Pell completion gap suggests institutional support systems enable success across economic backgrounds once students enroll, though overall access remains limited by admission selectivity and cost barriers.
Lafayette College achieves above average mobility performance, ranking in the 56.1st percentile by combining limited access with strong outcomes for enrolled students. As a Selective Achievers institution, Lafayette College serves fewer low-income students while delivering exceptional earnings outcomes, including $77,800 for low-income graduates ranking among the top 5% nationally. Pell-eligible students graduate at 88.1%, virtually matching the overall completion rate of 88.0% and indicating effective institutional support for degree completion across economic backgrounds. First-generation students represent 14.8% of enrollment while achieving strong post-graduation earnings. This mobility performance reflects Lafayette College's ability to convert educational opportunity into economic advancement for students who gain access, despite serving a more selective student population than typical mobility leaders.
Pell-eligible students graduate at 88.1% compared to the overall completion rate of 88.0%, creating a positive 0.1 percentage point gap favoring Pell students. This virtually nonexistent completion gap indicates Lafayette College provides effective support systems enabling lower-income students to succeed at rates matching or exceeding their higher-income peers.
