Lafayette College admits approximately 31.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Lafayette College in the Selective category among four-year institutions, with admission more accessible than highly selective colleges but more competitive than typical private institutions. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights Lafayette College's greater selectivity compared to similar private nonprofit institutions, admitting 39 percentage points fewer applicants than typical peers. This selectivity level means academically strong students face reasonable admission odds, though competition remains meaningful. Students should approach Lafayette College as a match or slight reach school depending on their academic profile, building college lists that include both more and less selective alternatives. The selective admission environment allows Lafayette College to enroll academically accomplished students while maintaining manageable class sizes and close faculty-student relationships typical of liberal arts colleges.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Lafayette College typically score between 1340 and 1490 on the SAT, with the middle 50% falling within this range and a midpoint of 1419. SAT Math scores range from 670 to 760, while SAT Verbal scores span 670 to 730, indicating strong performance across both sections. ACT scores range from 30 to 33 with a midpoint of 32, reflecting similar academic strength. These test score ranges place Lafayette College well above typical four-year institutions, with SAT scores 163 points higher than the peer median of 1256 and ACT scores 5 points above the peer median of 27. Students scoring below 1340 on the SAT or 30 on the ACT face greater competitive challenges but are not automatically excluded from consideration. The relatively narrow score ranges indicate consistent academic expectations, with most enrolled students demonstrating similar levels of academic preparation. For prospective students, scores within or above these ranges suggest academic competitiveness for admission, while those below should consider Lafayette College a reach school requiring particularly strong performance in other application areas.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Lafayette College enrolls students from diverse academic backgrounds while maintaining selective standards. The institution enrolls 10.3% Pell-eligible students and 14.8% first-generation students, percentages typical for selective private colleges but below national averages for all four-year institutions. Transfer students represent 2.6% of enrollment, indicating limited transfer admission opportunities compared to institutions with larger transfer pathways. These enrollment patterns reflect Lafayette College's positioning as a primarily traditional-age, residential liberal arts college drawing students with strong academic preparation and family college experience. The relatively low Pell share indicates the student body includes fewer students from lower-income backgrounds compared to public institutions, though financial aid enables access for some students across income levels. Students considering Lafayette College should understand that the typical enrolled student comes from a college-educated family background, though the institution does serve first-generation and lower-income students through targeted financial aid programs. Geographic diversity and program balance across liberal arts and engineering contribute to the overall student composition beyond test scores and admission selectivity.
Given Lafayette College's 31.5% acceptance rate and competitive test score ranges, students should consider alternative schools that deliver comparable career outcomes with different admission profiles, costs, or geographic locations.
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Lafayette College demonstrates strong student success outcomes once enrolled, with 92.1% of freshmen returning for sophomore year compared to the peer median of 83.1%. The institution graduates 88.0% of students within six years, notably above the peer median of 70.0%, indicating effective academic support and student engagement. Pell-eligible students graduate at 88.1%, virtually identical to the overall completion rate and representing one of the smallest completion gaps we track. This 0.1 percentage point gap suggests Lafayette College provides effective support systems that enable lower-income students to succeed at rates matching their higher-income peers. For prospective students, these retention and completion rates indicate that admitted students typically thrive in Lafayette College's academic environment and graduate on schedule. The strong Pell student outcomes should reassure lower-income applicants that the institution provides necessary support for degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect consistent institutional support for academic success, with outcomes reflecting the college's commitment to undergraduate education and student development across diverse backgrounds and academic programs.
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