Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Lafayette admits about 1 in 3 applicants (31%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 93% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$65 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 29%, women at 34%.
Where applicants live
Pennsylvania applicants were admitted at 34%, applicants from other states at 48%, and international applicants at 7.3%.
Of those admitted, 23% from Pennsylvania enrolled, against 21% from other states and 21% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
22% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 2,660 offered a place, 1,316 accepted, 171 admitted (13% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 38% admitted
356 of 937 early applicants
Apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Feb 1; decisions by Feb 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Lafayette reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both important. 37% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 27% of first-years sent an SAT and 9% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 22% whose high school reported a rank, 53% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, and 2 of science. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
23% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 31% of first-year applicants
233 applied · 53 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 3 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by May 1
- Spring entry: apply by November 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended for some
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Academic electives | 5 |
| Total | 16 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.56
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.012%
- 3.75–3.9925%
- 3.50–3.7426%
- 3.25–3.4917%
- 3.00–3.2412%
- below 3.07%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 12.5% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 24.6% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 26.4% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 16.8% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 12.5% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 6.8% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.4% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
53% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 81% in the top quarter, of the 22% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Lafayette College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1420 on the SAT, 250 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
61% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
82% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
66% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
61% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
82% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
55% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 27% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 9% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Lafayette College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Lafayette College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Lafayette College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Lafayette College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)