Lawrence University
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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, Social Sciences, Psychology
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
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, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 64%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 77%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Lawrence University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $56,982 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $23,401 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,419 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,000.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Lawrence University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lawrence University's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lawrence University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Lawrence University, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 64%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 77%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lawrence University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Lawrence University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $56,982 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $23,401 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,419 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,000.
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 national averages for 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.77 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lawrence University.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.77 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note