Lafayette College

Overview of Lafayette College

---

For instance, the curriculum is structured so that it's easy for students to complete a double major. On top of that, enterprising pupils can create their own major across multiple departments. Most students will be plenty satisfied to choose a major from one of 51 fields including: computer science, economics, film and media studies, and psychology.

When students are ready, they can start looking for internship opportunities in the local area, though some will seek their experiential learning closer to New York City or Philadelphia. There are also opportunities for students to complete a paid internship without commuting. Lafayette offers a Micro-Internship program. In this program, students can complete an internship in anywhere between 5 and 40 hours. Thus, students can explore a variety of working situations and accrue valuable experience along the way.

Top Rankings For Lafayette College

---

Admissions

---

Tuition Cost & Financial Aid

---

Lafayette is a private college and thus is a bit more expensive than most public institutions. However, the up-front cost of a year is offset by a robust financial aid package that ensures that students can graduate with their friends and apply their excellent education in the workplace. That initial tuition cost, plus books and supplies, is $57,000. On top of that, students pay up to $17,000 to cover their room, board, and other expenses.

These costs are ameliorated by the financial aid office. Half of first-year, full-time Lafayette students receive grants and scholarships that average $45,000. To help cover the rest of their expenses, 31% of students take out federal or private loans that average $7,000. When one looks at the average net cost as broken down by income bracket, Lafayette students see the true value.

In fact, the net cost for the lowest income bracket is $7,000, or around 10% of the total initial cost. Students from the highest income bracket pay $48,000 and the mid-range students pay $17,000 per year. Given the overall value of a Lafayette education, this is a good deal.

Sticker Price

---

Academics

---

Students at Lafayette College are privileged to receive some of the best academic training available. The educational statistics reflect that students at Lafayette are high performing and motivated, on top of being happy on campus. The retention rates, graduation figures, and class sizes all reflect nothing but the very best that academia can provide.

Starting with the first-year students, their retention rates are a jaw-dropping 93. This means that, when students land on campus they find classes, activities, and even a peer group that is stimulating, fun, and supportive of their long-term goals.

Not only do first-year students stick around for a second year, but 88% of them stick around for graduation. On top of that, 4% transfer out to complete their degrees elsewhere. Thus, when a student enrolls in Lafayette there is a very high probability that they will graduate from college, and most likely that will be with a Lafayette diploma.

While it's probably true that Lafayette has excellent dining facilities, social outlets, and campus clubs, what really tips the scales and results in their high retention and graduation numbers is the average class size. Since the average class size on campus is ten students, Lafayette scholars are treated to the sort of hands-on education that is the envy of academia. Though entry-level courses are surely a bit larger, once a student enters their major, their classes likely fall below the average and they can pursue individual projects with close interaction with their instructor.

Student Population Total

---

Outcome & Salary

---

Students who graduate from Lafayette are not only book-smart, but they are also fiscally savvy. The return on their educational investment is hefty. The top earners from the college tend to be from the chemical engineering department and earn around $69,000 as a starting salary. On the other end, English majors start their careers making around $28,000. In the middle are the international relations degree holders who earn around $41,000 on average.

Keep in mind that even those who start out earning a bit on the lower end can leverage their Lafayette education and land in a terrific graduate program. With their strong academic background, their long-term earnings are sure to soar and their careers will undoubtedly be brilliant.

Photos & Videos

---