Lawrence University
#8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 77% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,789 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,401 D+
- 37% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 64% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.5 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $18.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,637,196.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Earnings 37% above the national college median.
-
A 77% graduation rate — 34% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $18.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lawrence University Matters
Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college in Appleton, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,396
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Social Sciences
Why students choose Lawrence University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 64% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1200–1420. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,401 a year after grants and scholarships — 37% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,789 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.77 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,400 students, Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, caters to those who are passionate about the arts, sciences, and humanities. This is a great fit for individuals who thrive in smaller, close-knit communities and seek an engaging academic environment. Students here dive deep into fields like Visual and Performing Arts, Biology, and Psychology, often enjoying the freedom to explore interdisciplinary studies that connect their interests.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn an average of $55,789 within a decade of finishing their degrees, which indicates a solid return on investment. This financial stability is especially significant considering the cost of attendance. With a net price of $23,401 after aid, students can manage their expenses while preparing for their careers. This balance of affordability and earning potential suggests that Lawrence University graduates are well-positioned for upward mobility.
Looking at the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates is $26,000, a manageable amount when considering the average earnings. The financial aid system seems to work well, with 22% of students receiving Pell Grants. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated learners who appreciate the liberal arts approach and are eager to engage with their professors and peers in a supportive environment. It’s about finding your niche and making the most of your time at Lawrence.
Rankings
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #8 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #15 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #18 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #30 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective Lawrence University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lawrence University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lawrence University, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1350
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1200–1420
- ACT Range
- 24–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,785
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 2,943
- Admitted
- 2,127
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Lawrence University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 17% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 17%
- of admits enroll
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 72.6%
- vs 63.9% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 62 Early Decision applicants, 45 were admitted — a 72.6% admit rate, roughly 1.1× the 63.9% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 13% of the entering class (45 of 351 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lawrence University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lawrence University is $56,982, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,401. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,419 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $56,982
- Out-of-State
- $56,982
- Avg Net Price
- $23,401
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,419
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,332
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,020
- Family Income $110K+
- $32,758
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lawrence University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lawrence University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lawrence University earn a median of $55,789, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,653
- 8 Years
- $48,065
- 10 Years
- $55,789
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (239)
- 63%
- 100% (239)
- 63%
- 100% (239)
- 63%
- 100% (239)
- 63%
How Lawrence Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Lawrence University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lawrence University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,401/year ($93,604 total). Graduates earn $55,789 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,730,800 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,637,196 (18.5× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 77% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $93,604
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,730,800
- Net Return
- $1,637,196
- ROI Multiple
- 18.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,401
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,538,229
- Investment Income
- $-29,691,710
Top Programs
The fields Lawrence University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 23% $27,463 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 16% $34,410 early-career
- Psychology 10% $26,531 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $64,204 early-career
- English & Literature 7% $26,933 early-career
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Physical Sciences 5%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lawrence University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lawrence University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lawrence University, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lawrence University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lawrence University is $56,982, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,401. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,419 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lawrence University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lawrence University earn a median of $55,789, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Lawrence University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lawrence University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Lawrence University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Lawrence University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 73%, about 1.1 times the overall 64% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 13% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Lawrence University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Lawrence University?
About 17% of admitted students choose to enroll at Lawrence University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lawrence University.
- Marywood UniversityScranton, PA · Close peer72% grad $55,817 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · Close peer73% grad $59,850 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The College of WoosterWooster, OH · Close peer74% grad $59,629 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Vincent CollegeLatrobe, PA · Close peer70% grad $59,982 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of DallasIrving, TX · Close peer70% grad $58,285 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse, WI · Close peer67% grad $55,660 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lawrence University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lawrence University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note