Lafayette College recognized for academics, student experience, and return on investment in this year’s rankings of top colleges

As Lafayette College approaches the start of its third century, its impact on students, community, and the future of higher education continues to be reflected in college rankings. 

From U.S. News & World Report to inaugural lists like TIME’s Best Colleges, Lafayette earned consistent recognition in three areas in which the College excels: academic excellence, student experience, and return on investment. 

“Lafayette has always believed in the power of ‘and’,” says President Nicole Hurd. “Liberal arts and engineering. Rigor and joy. Ambition and care for one another. Each of these rankings looks at us from a different angle, and each one tells the same story: Our students thrive because this community invests in them. I am so grateful to everyone who makes that true every day.”

One fact remains clear across these rankings: Lafayette excels in blending the best of liberal arts and engineering to create a welcoming campus that builds successful futures. 

Here’s what the rankings say: 

Academic excellence

With 200 years of proven excellence, Lafayette offers a life-changing education where liberal arts and engineering meet leading-edge research opportunities, faculty-student mentorship opportunities, and 50-plus programs of study. Lafayette consistently ranked on national, regional, and liberal arts lists, reflecting the College’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning.

• #30 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• #27 Top Private Colleges (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• #15 America’s Best Undergraduate Engineering programs, where a doctorate is not offered (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• #13 Civil Engineering and #19 Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programs, where a doctorate is not offered (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• Up 34 spots in Economics, 28 in Computer Science, and 53 in Psychology undergraduate programs (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• #8 Top Liberal Arts Colleges (LinkedIn Top Colleges 2026) 
• #41 Northeast Colleges (Forbes America’s Top Colleges 2027)
• #56 Top Private Colleges (Forbes America’s Top Colleges 2027)
• #3 Best Small College in Pennsylvania (Niche 2027 College Rankings)
• #31 Best Liberal Arts College in America (Niche 2027 College Rankings)
• #68 (out of 500) Best College (TIME America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027)
• #83 (out of 500) America’s Top Colleges (Forbes America’s Top Colleges 2027)
• Top 10 Colleges in Pennsylvania for political science, economics, and English (Niche 2027 College Rankings)

Student experience

This year’s rankings introduced new indicators of the strength of Lafayette’s student experience, as the College debuted on The Princeton Review’s “Happiest Students,” “Most Accessible Professors,” and “Best College Theater” lists. On top of continued recognition for campus facilities and sustainability,, Lafayette’s rankings show that the campus is a vibrant and engaging community that nurtures curiosity and innovation. 

• #7 Best College Library (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #13 Happiest Students (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #14 Most Accessible Professors (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #16 Best College Theater (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #18 Students Study the Most (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #25 Best Science Lab Facilities (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #37 Top 50 Green Colleges (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• Top 10 Colleges in Pennsylvania for student athletes (Niche 2027 College Rankings)

Return on investment

Through a commitment to financial aid, career training, alumni connections, and student outcomes, Lafayette ensures the investment students make in their education pays back dividends. Lafayette’s Gateway Career Center continues to move up in the rankings, proving that whether through externship programs or interview prep, Lafayette students have the tools they need to succeed in the workforce.

• #5 Best Career Services (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #10 Great Financial Aid (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #28 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars: Northeast (Washington Monthly 2026 College Guide and Rankings)
• #35 Best Value Colleges, Private Schools (The Princeton Review The Best 392 Colleges 2027) 
• #77 Best Value Schools (U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges)
• #77 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars: Overall (Washington Monthly 2026 College Guide and Rankings)