Westonka Shield

Lily's College Explorer

Find Your Perfect Fit

No colleges found matching ""

Try searching by full name or check spelling

Searching colleges...

↑↓ Navigate Enter Select Esc Close
results

💡 Tip: Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate (↑↓ arrows, Enter to select)

← Back to Dashboard
Lafayette College campus

Lafayette College

https://www.lafayette.edu ↗

Small Classes, Big Spirit, Division I Dance Opportunities

Lafayette College scores 75/100, placing it in the MODERATE FIT category. The college excels in areas the student prioritizes: exceptional s...

75.00
out of 100
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆
MODERATE FIT

AI Recommendation

Lafayette College scores 75/100, placing it in the MODERATE FIT category. The college excels in areas the student prioritizes: exceptional student-faculty ratio (10:1), outstanding school spirit with Division I athletics, vibrant residential campus culture (95%+ on-campus), excellent career preparation (94% placement), and strong Division I dance team with walk-on opportunities. However, there are SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS that prevent a higher recommendation: (1) NO marketing major and limited business options - only Economics available, which is a poor match for the student's primary academic interest; (2) Location is small town/suburban, NOT urban as preferred - major cities are 70+ miles away; (3) Limited sunshine with cold winters compared to sunnier climates. The student would receive excellent teaching support and strong career outcomes, but would need to compromise on academic program alignment and location preferences.

Quick Actions

Performance vs. Average College

Academic
33.0 +3.0
Avg: 30.0 83% of max
Culture
26.0 +4.0
Avg: 22.0 87% of max
Environment
7.0 -8.0
Avg: 15.0 35% of max
Special
9.0 +1.0
Avg: 8.0 90% of max
This College
Average

Score Breakdown

Academic Profile
33.0 /40 (83%)
Mixed alignment with student interests. Psychology program is well-regarded with neuroscience integration. Pre-law advising is excellent with 85%+ law school acceptance rates. However, MAJOR CONCERN: No dedicated marketing major and no business major - only Economics with concentration options. This is a significant mismatch for the student's primary interest in Marketing/Business. Pre-physical therapy has no dedicated track, only Biology/Kinesiology pathway. Only 2 of 5 stated interests have strong direct programs.
Program Strength
5.0 /10
Mixed alignment with student interests. Psychology program is well-regarded with neuroscience integration. Pre-law advising is excellent with 85%+ law school acceptance rates. However, MAJOR CONCERN: No dedicated marketing major and no business major - only Economics with concentration options. This is a significant mismatch for the student's primary interest in Marketing/Business. Pre-physical therapy has no dedicated track, only Biology/Kinesiology pathway. Only 2 of 5 stated interests have strong direct programs.
Student Faculty
10.0 /10
Exceptional 10:1 student-faculty ratio with average class size of 19 students. 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students. This perfectly matches the student's need for teacher support and smaller classes. Highly interactive, discussion-based learning with emphasis on mentorship and undergraduate teaching focus.
Applied Learning
9.0 /10
Outstanding applied learning opportunities. 85% of students complete at least one internship through extensive Gateway Career Center network. Strong connections in NYC and Philadelphia. January interim ExternShip program provides job shadowing. Strong emphasis on research opportunities and internships integrated into curriculum.
Career Prep
9.0 /10
Excellent career preparation with 94% of graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months. Gateway Career Center provides comprehensive support including career counseling, resume review, mock interviews, on-campus recruiting. Strong alumni network of 32,000+ actively supports internship and job placement. Four-year career development model.
Campus Culture
26.0 /30 (87%)
Exceptional school spirit. NCAA Division I athletics with the Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry being the nation's most-played college football rivalry (159 games). High attendance at football and basketball games. Strong traditions including Fisher Field gatherings. This perfectly matches the student's desire for strong school spirit.
School Spirit
10.0 /10
Exceptional school spirit. NCAA Division I athletics with the Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry being the nation's most-played college football rivalry (159 games). High attendance at football and basketball games. Strong traditions including Fisher Field gatherings. This perfectly matches the student's desire for strong school spirit.
Social Scene
9.0 /10
Very active social scene and definitively NOT a commuter school - 95%+ students live on campus all four years. Active campus on weekends with 250+ student organizations, performing arts, athletic events, and college-sponsored events. 94% freshman retention rate indicates strong student satisfaction. Close-knit community feel with campus as social hub.
Greek Life
7.0 /10
Moderate Greek life presence at 30-35% participation. Social scene is influenced but not dominated by Greek system with multiple social options available beyond Greek life. This is somewhat higher than ideal for a student who may prefer less Greek influence, but still manageable with diverse alternatives.
Location & Environment
7.0 /20 (35%)
POOR MATCH for urban/near city preference. Easton is a small town (27,000 population) with suburban/small town setting, NOT urban. Philadelphia is 70 miles away, NYC is 75 miles - both 90+ minutes by car/bus. While charming with revitalized downtown, Easton has limited nightlife and entertainment. Would need car or coordinated transportation to access urban amenities regularly. This directly contradicts the 'urban or near city' requirement.
Location
3.0 /10
POOR MATCH for urban/near city preference. Easton is a small town (27,000 population) with suburban/small town setting, NOT urban. Philadelphia is 70 miles away, NYC is 75 miles - both 90+ minutes by car/bus. While charming with revitalized downtown, Easton has limited nightlife and entertainment. Would need car or coordinated transportation to access urban amenities regularly. This directly contradicts the 'urban or near city' requirement.
Climate
4.0 /10
Below average match for 'loves sunshine' preference. Approximately 200 sunny/partly sunny days per year with four distinct seasons including cold, snowy winters. Good nature access with campus views, nearby state parks, and Pocono Mountains 45 minutes away, but Pennsylvania climate is significantly less sunny than southern schools. Does not align well with sunshine preference.
Special Requirements
9.0 /10 (90%)
Excellent dance team opportunity. Lafayette has Division I Dance Team that performs at basketball games and competes at UDA College Nationals. Tryouts held annually with walk-ons explicitly welcome. Also offers Lafayette Dance Ensemble (student-run) for various dance styles. Strong match for student's interest in walk-on dance team opportunities.
Dance Team
9.0 /10
Excellent dance team opportunity. Lafayette has Division I Dance Team that performs at basketball games and competes at UDA College Nationals. Tryouts held annually with walk-ons explicitly welcome. Also offers Lafayette Dance Ensemble (student-run) for various dance styles. Strong match for student's interest in walk-on dance team opportunities.

Top Strengths 5

  • 1 Perfect match for small class sizes and teacher support needs (10:1 ratio, 19 avg class size, 60% classes under 20 students)
  • 2 Outstanding school spirit and residential campus culture (95%+ live on campus, Division I athletics, strong traditions) - definitively NOT a commuter school
  • 3 Division I Dance Team with explicit walk-on opportunities and competition at UDA Nationals
  • 4 Exceptional career preparation (94% placement rate, 85% internship participation, strong alumni network)
  • 5 Excellent pre-law advising with 85%+ law school acceptance rates

Things to Consider 5

  • 1 CRITICAL: No marketing major available - only Economics with concentrations. This is a significant mismatch for primary academic interest in Marketing/Business
  • 2 Location does NOT meet urban/near city preference - Easton is small town 70+ miles from Philadelphia/NYC, requiring 90+ minute commute
  • 3 Limited sunshine (200 days) with cold, snowy winters - does not align with 'loves sunshine' preference
  • 4 No dedicated business major or pre-physical therapy program - would require alternative pathways
  • 5 Greek life at 30-35% may be more influential than preferred, though alternatives exist

Detailed Research

Internships

Extensive internship network through Gateway Career Center. 85% of students complete at least one internship. Strong connections in NYC, Philadelphia. January interim ExternShip program provides job shadowing opportunities

Avg Class Size

Average class size is 19 students; 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students

Teaching Style

Highly interactive, discussion-based learning with emphasis on undergraduate teaching. Professors focus on mentorship. Strong emphasis on applied learning, research opportunities, and internships integrated into curriculum

Academic Support

Comprehensive academic support including Skillman Library tutoring, Writing Associates Program, Peer tutoring, Academic Resource Hub, faculty office hours strongly encouraged. First-year advising program

Career Placement

94% of graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation (Class of 2022 data)

Program Rankings

  • No formal pre-law major but strong advising program; high law school acceptance rates (historically 85%+)
  • Strong - Economics & Business program ranked among top liberal arts colleges. No dedicated marketing major, but Economics with concentration options available
  • No dedicated marketing major - would need Economics or other business-adjacent major
  • Well-regarded program with neuroscience integration, popular major on campus
  • Biology or Kinesiology pathway available; no dedicated pre-PT track but pre-health advising available

Student Faculty Ratio

10:1

Greek Life

Moderate to significant presence - approximately 30-35% of students involved in Greek life (fraternities and sororities). Social scene influenced but not dominated by Greek life. Multiple social options beyond Greek system

Social Scene

Vibrant for small school - 250+ student organizations, performing arts, athletic events, college-sponsored events. Small town setting means campus is social hub. Close-knit community feel

School Spirit

Very strong school spirit. NCAA Division I athletics (Patriot League). Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry (The Rivalry) is nation's most-played college football rivalry (159 games). High attendance at football and basketball games. Strong traditions including Fisher Field gatherings

Retention Rate

94% freshman retention rate

Graduation Rate

89% six-year graduation rate

Weekend Activity

Active campus on weekends. 95%+ students live on campus all four years. Strong residential campus culture with events, athletics, Greek life, and student organizations active on weekends

Political Climate

Moderate to slightly left-leaning, though more balanced than many liberal arts colleges. Active political discourse with representation across spectrum. Generally respectful dialogue culture

Setting

Suburban/small town. Located on College Hill overlooking Easton, PA. 340-acre campus with historic buildings and modern facilities

Sunny Days

Approximately 200 sunny or partly sunny days per year. Four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold and snowy; pleasant spring and fall

Nature Access

Good nature access - campus itself has scenic views of Lehigh Valley. Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor nearby. Bushkill Park, Jacobsburg State Park within 15-20 minutes. Pocono Mountains 45 minutes away for hiking

Transportation

Trans-Bridge Lines provides bus service to NYC (90 minutes). Campus shuttle system. Limited public transportation in Easton. Car helpful but not essential. Zipcar available on campus

Nearest Airport

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) - 15 minutes/9 miles. Newark Liberty International (EWR) - 70 miles/90 minutes. Philadelphia International (PHL) - 75 miles/90 minutes

Surrounding Area

Easton is historic small city (27,000 population) at confluence of Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Revitalized downtown with restaurants, cafes, farmers market. Not urban environment. Philadelphia 70 miles, NYC 75 miles. Charming but limited nightlife/entertainment compared to major cities

Dance Team

Lafayette has a Dance Team that performs at basketball games and competitions. Competes in Division I level. Tryouts held annually - walk-ons welcome. Team competes in UDA College Nationals. Also Lafayette Dance Ensemble (student-run performing group) for various dance styles

Recreation

  • Allan P. Kirby Sports Center with fitness center, pool, courts. Bourger Varsity Football House. Rappolt Field House. Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex. Intramural and club sports very active
  • Extensive intramural program - 20+ sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, dodgeball. Club sports include rugby, ultimate frisbee, crew, skiing, climbing

Food Quality

Above average for college dining. Multiple dining halls including Farinon College Center Marketplace (main dining), Gilbert's Cafe, Simon's Cafe. Rated well by students. Declining balance and meal plan flexibility. Various dietary accommodations available

Campus Beauty

Beautiful historic campus with mix of limestone collegiate Gothic buildings and modern facilities. Hilltop setting provides scenic views. Well-maintained grounds, quad areas. Consistently rated among most beautiful college campuses. Particularly stunning in fall

Housing Quality

Good quality housing. All students guaranteed housing all four years. 95%+ live on campus. Options include traditional dorms, suite-style, apartments, special interest housing. Newer residence halls well-maintained. Sophomore year lottery system. Many upperclassmen in college-owned houses/apartments

Dance Team Contact

Athletic Department: 610-330-5470. Dance Team typically managed through Spirit Squads/Athletic Department. Recommend contacting Lafayette Athletics or visiting lafayette.edu/athletics for current coach contact

Similar Colleges

Data Quality & Confidence

Confidence Level
HIGH 85/100
Last Updated
Oct 25, 2025
1 week ago
← Back to All Colleges Add to Comparison