Engineering at Lafayette College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Lafayette College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Lafayette College graduates earn $77k, placing them in the 91th percentile of all engineering bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (21 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette College | $76,507 | $92,618 | — | — |
| Wilkes University | $74,654 | $70,860 | $26,000 | 0.35 |
| Elizabethtown College | $73,003 | $82,989 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| Messiah University | $64,871 | $67,268 | $25,798 | 0.40 |
| Saint Vincent College | $64,499 | — | $27,000 | 0.42 |
| Geneva College | $62,486 | $67,254 | $27,000 | 0.43 |
| National Median | $67,911 | — | $26,056 | 0.38 |
Other Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre | $42,286 | $74,654 | $26,000 |
| Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown | $36,842 | $73,003 | $27,000 |
| Messiah University Mechanicsburg | $40,640 | $64,871 | $25,798 |
| Saint Vincent College Latrobe | $41,100 | $64,499 | $27,000 |
| Geneva College Beaver Falls | $33,610 | $62,486 | $27,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lafayette College, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.