Lafayette College
Lafayette College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lafayette College at a Glance
Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter and other citizens in Easton, the college first held classes in 1832. The founders voted to name the college after the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution.
1826
200 years old
$1.0B
$1 billion
2,675
276
340 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Lafayette College
Official admissions pageMarch 1 (Early Decision II)
Is Lafayette College Worth It?
Lafayette College offers moderate value at $34,433/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $91,410, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 88% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Median student debt of $16,000 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Lafayette College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #2 of 15 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #2 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
| #3 | Trinity College | 54 | $34,832 | $90,779 |
| #4 | University of Richmond | 53 | $31,309 | $76,178 |
| #5 | Bucknell University | 50 | $40,766 | $93,807 |
| #6 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Lafayette College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in PA.
Best Programs at Lafayette College
The highest-earning program at Lafayette College is Chemical Engineering at $68,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $28,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from Lafayette College earns $68,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $28,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $22,164 in median debt vs. $20,096 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,433/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $68,800 | $68,800 | $22,164 |
| Civil Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,400 | $61,400 | $25,788 |
| Economics | $54,100 | $54,100 | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $41,400 | $41,400 | $22,538 |
| Psychology, General | $40,000 | $40,000 | $25,596 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,200 | $39,200 | $24,070 |
| Biology, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $20,096 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Easton, PA
- Student Body
- 2,757 students
- Admission Rate
- 31%
- Graduation Rate
- 88%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,433
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $91,410
- Median Student Debt
- $16,000