Lafayette joins the Coalition for College

This fall, Lafayette College joined more than 150 institutions of higher education as part of the Coalition for College, a national network of public and private schools that have demonstrated a commitment to advancing student success and college access. 

In order to qualify for the Coalition, institutions must outperform national median graduation rates, especially for limited-income students. In the most recent data reporting, 85% of Pell-eligible Lafayette students graduated within six years. The six-year graduation rate for all Lafayette students was also 85%, putting the College ahead of the national six-year graduation rate of 61.1%.

A free resource for families, the Coalition helps demystify the college admissions process through partnerships with institutions and counselors to break down questions on applications, financial aid, and more. As part of Lafayette’s membership, prospective students now have an additional way to apply for enrollment at the College through the Coalition. 

“We are proud that Lafayette earned its place in the Coalition on the strength of its graduation record, particularly among Pell-eligible students, who graduate at the same rate as their classmates,” says Vice President for Enrollment Management Forrest Stuart. “Whether they study the liberal arts and sciences or engineering, our graduates thrive well beyond Commencement: within 10 months of graduation, 96% of the Class of 2025 were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in meaningful life work. For more than 200 years, Lafayette has opened its doors to students of ambition and promise. Coalition membership offers families another way to apply, and we look forward to getting to know each applicant.”

The Coalition for College helps prospective students identify institutions that are committed to launching their futures, and making the application process as easy as possible for students with limited resources. Membership in the Coalition is one more step in Lafayette’s journey to investing in student outcomes, which includes new endowments for expanded professorships and research programs, a top-ranked career center, and demonstrated commitment to access. 

While students still have the option to apply to Lafayette via the Common App, applying through the Coalition offers access to free tools and resources to help students start the process sooner. Fees will be automatically waived for students applying to Lafayette through the Coalition, and application method will have no bearing on admission decisions.

Event schedules, resources, and a full list of member institutions can be found on the Coalition for College webpage.