Lawrence University is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Appleton, Wisconsin. It enrolls 1,396 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
70/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes84
Value37
Affordability29
Selectivity78
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 63.9%, Lawrence University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
63.9%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1200 – 1420
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
24 – 31
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Lawrence University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
0.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Lawrence University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,401 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,401
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
22%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
49%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$56,982
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,165
Room & Board (off-campus)
$9,246
Books & Supplies
$900
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,650
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,787
Total Cost of Attendance
$69,849
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,419
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,332
$48,001 – $75,000
$15,020
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,256
Over $110,000
$32,758
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$12,00025%percentile
$26,000Medianpercentile
$31,13375%percentile
$35,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $22,897
↓ $3,103
No Pell $18,264
↓ $7,736
Female students $20,500
↓ $5,500
Male students $19,500
↓ $6,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,500, less than completers ($26,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
67% of full-time students who enrolled at Lawrence University graduate within six years, and 87% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
67%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
87%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Lawrence University earn a median of $55,789 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$55,789
Earning > $25K
81%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$42,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$55,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,100, about 23% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
13.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 91% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Lawrence University is home to 1,396 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,396
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
17%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 59.7%834
Hispanic 12.4%173
International 11.0%153
Other 5.5%77
Black 4.6%64
Asian 3.6%50
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Lawrence University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityAppleton, Wisconsin
Housing
Strongly residential1,450 beds for 1,396 students
Adult Learners
1%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Trimesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Lawrence University offers
a varied set of programs:
31 distinct programs across
15 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Lawrence University is 7:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
7:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$514M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$78,854
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
176 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
35
20%
$97,887
Associate Professors
75
43%
$82,773
Assistant Professors
51
29%
$65,493
Instructors
15
9%
$60,275
Pros & Cons of Lawrence University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Lawrence University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Above-average graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, Lawrence University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lawrence University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Lawrence University.
Is Lawrence University hard to get into?
Admissions at Lawrence University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 63.9%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Lawrence University?
Lawrence University has an acceptance rate of 63.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Lawrence University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Lawrence University scored between 1200 and 1420 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Lawrence University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Lawrence University scored between 24 and 31 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Lawrence University cost?
The average net price after aid at Lawrence University is $23,401 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Lawrence University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $55,789 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,401 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Lawrence University known for?
Lawrence University is best known for its programs in Music, Psychology, Biology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Lawrence University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Lawrence University are $55,789, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Lawrence University accredited?
Yes. Lawrence University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Lawrence University?
Lawrence University enrolls 1,396 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Lawrence University?
Lawrence University graduates 67% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Lawrence University a public or private college?
Lawrence University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Lawrence University located?
Lawrence University is located in Appleton, Wisconsin.
What programs does Lawrence University offer?
Lawrence University offers 31 distinct programs. The most popular include Music, Psychology, Biology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Lawrence University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Lawrence University is 7:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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