2025-26 Tuition and fees announcement
Dear Lafayette Parents and Families:
I write to share with you the tuition and fees for the 2025-26 academic year, as set by the Board of Trustees. We appreciate the significant investment you are making to afford your child the benefits of a Lafayette education and are steadfast in our commitment to wisely steward College resources to provide our students with a life-changing residential college experience.
The total cost of attendance for returning students for the 2025-26 academic year will be $86,568, which is a 3.5% increase over the current year. This total consists of the following:
In significant part, the new cost reflects the influence of inflation on College expenses. We know that such increases are never welcome. Our decision to increase the cost of attendance resulted from the extensive scrutiny of our faculty and administration committee (College Budget Planning Committee) and detailed review of College costs by the Board of Trustees.
We also want to share some of the continuing investments we are making in the quality and value of a Lafayette education. These new investments include recruiting outstanding faculty to teach, mentor, guide, and inspire students, and maintain the low student-faculty ratio (10:1) that is a vital part of Lafayette’s personalized learning experience. Our surveys of recent graduates continue to show that within six months of Commencement, 95% are employed, continuing their education, or doing meaningful work such as volunteering, interning, or preparing for graduate/professional school. In fact, this fall, The Princeton Review named Lafayette the home of the 10th Best Career Services operation in the country, based on students’ ratings of career and job placement services.
In multiple rankings from national publications, Lafayette has once again been rated one of the top colleges in the country. The College ranked 31st among U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States, while The Wall Street Journal / College Pulse ranked Lafayette 58th overall. Notably, among liberal arts colleges in The Wall Street Journal / College Pulse ranking, Lafayette secured the 9th position and a top-3 spot for northeast liberal arts colleges. Our prominence is noted further by our inclusion in Washington Monthly’s “20 Best Colleges for Women in STEM,” with notable rankings in chemical engineering (5th) and mechanical and civil engineering (6th).
This focus on academic excellence has drawn another record number of applicants, with over 10,450 students seeking admission for the fall semester—the second-highest in the College’s history.
We are also continuing to improve facilities to enhance both the academic and residential experience for our students. Opening for the past fall semester were the state-of-the-art William E. Simon Center for Economics and Business, the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences’ outdoor classroom, and a new residence hall, McCartney II. In addition, construction of the Wallach Sports Performance and Lacrosse Center is underway. Campus dining options have also been expanded with the opening of Cinco and a redesigned Gilbert’s Cafe menu, featuring Starbucks and all-day breakfast. Pedestrian safety improvements along the McCartney Street corridor have also been implemented. These enhancements are made possible through the generous support of our donors, whose contributions not only make our capital projects possible, but also provide vital financial aid and scholarships to deserving students.
Speaking of financial aid, as you know, we are one of about 70 colleges and universities committed to meeting 100% of every student’s calculated demonstrated financial need. If your recent financial circumstances have changed, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 610-330-5055 or financialaid@lafayette.edu. A financial aid professional will be happy to provide advice and guidance.
In mid-July, the Student Accounts Office will provide detailed information on managing your student’s account along with the statement covering tuition, room, board, and fees. Further information related to tuition statements and payment plans can be accessed on the Student Accounts website or by contacting the office at 610-330-5145 or studentaccounts@lafayette.edu.
We are grateful for every student who chooses Lafayette College for their education and will continue to do our best to provide an outstanding learning experience.
Sincerely,
President Nicole Hurd