The Area/Town: Lafayette College is perched on College Hill in Easton, Pennsylvania, located in the Lehigh Valley near the Delaware River. Approximately 75 minutes from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City, Easton offers Lafayette students a unique blend of small-town charm and fairly easy access to major urban opportunities. The town (walkable from campus, though inclines are included!) features a revitalized downtown with art galleries, independent shops, local restaurants, a year-round farmers market, and the Crayola Experience. The college's deep roots in the city mean students frequently engage in community-based learning and service projects.
The Campus/Students: Lafayette's campus is gorgeous! From Gothic-style academic buildings to modern residence halls and sweeping green spaces, the 340-acre campus is a mix of traditional and contemporary. About 93% of students live on campus in this highly residential, walkable community, and housing is guaranteed for four years. With 2,700–2,800 students (all undergraduates), Lafayette offers a personalized and close-knit experience.
Students are both spirited and multifaceted: About a quarter of the student body competes as Division I athletes in the Patriot League, and there are dozens of co-curricular clubs and organizations to get involved in—from theater to robotics to social justice. Lafayette's long-standing tradition of service is alive and well, with 75% of students participating in community service during their time on campus. Students have a voice here—whether it's shaping campus policies or launching new initiatives.
School spirit reaches a fever pitch every fall during the Lehigh–Lafayette football rivalry, dating back to 1884. Nicknamed "The Rivalry," it has been played more than 150 times, drawing huge crowds from both schools and their alumni bases. Greek life does tend to dominate the social scene on the campus, but students who opt not to participate say they still find plenty to do.
Academics: Lafayette is one of a handful of top-tier liberal arts colleges that also offer ABET-accredited engineering programs, making it a great fit for students who want to blend technical knowledge with a broad intellectual foundation. Students do not apply into a major, and there are no quotas to meet across departments. Whether you're drawn to neuroscience, film and media, or mechanical engineering, Lafayette allows students time to explore before committing to a path.
Students who are curious about engineering pathways can attend exploratory workshops and lunchtime talks that help introduce them to the discipline. Women currently make up 32% of engineering majors, well above the national average.
Experiential learning is a hallmark of a Lafayette experience, whether through research, internships, or innovation. The Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers mentorship, funding, and workshops for student entrepreneurs, and also connects students with local businesses and provides opportunities to pitch ideas, including at the quirky and popular "Side Hustle Fair."
Outcomes are strong, and the college boasts a 100% law school acceptance rate and a 74% med school acceptance rate, thanks to a strong advising system and opportunities for undergraduate research and clinical shadowing.
Cost: Current 2025 estimate COA (including tuition, room & board, travel and fees) is approximately $87,318. Lafayette is committed to access and equity, with no application fee, no gapping in financial aid packages, and a promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. For families earning under $200,000, aid packages now exclude federal loans, include only $1,000 in work-study, and the rest in grants.
Lafayette College offers a traditional, close-knit campus community with the resources and opportunities of a larger institution. With its blend of liberal arts and engineering, no-pressure academic exploration, school spirit (especially during The Rivalry with Lehigh), and deep commitment to access, innovation, and service, Lafayette is ideal for students looking for a personalized and well-rounded college experience.
Visit Lafayette's website to learn more and see if it's a good fit for you.