St Lawrence University
- Graduation Rate
- 79% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $67,258 A
- Top 9% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $28,651 F
- 67% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 54% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,615,194.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 65% more than the national college median.
-
A 79% graduation rate — 39% above the national average.
-
Social mobility rate of 2.06% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $15.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why St Lawrence University Matters
St Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college in Canton, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 9% of all U.S. colleges.
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
- 1,918
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose St 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 54% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1255–1420. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,651 a year after grants and scholarships — 67% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $67,258 ten years after enrolling — 65% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 26% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, is a solid choice for students interested in social sciences, biology, psychology, communications, and physical sciences. With an acceptance rate of 54%, it welcomes a diverse group of students who are looking for a supportive environment that encourages academic growth. The school’s graduation rate of 79% indicates that most students are finding their footing and completing their degrees, which speaks to the community and resources available to help us succeed.
After graduation, a degree from St. Lawrence can lead to promising financial outcomes, with an average earning of $67,258 within ten years. This figure suggests that many graduates are able to secure good positions in their fields. While we can’t delve into mobility rates, it’s clear that the investment in education here can pay off. With affordability in mind, it's also worth noting that 21% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps make college more accessible for those who may need financial assistance.
When it comes to the bottom line, the net price after aid stands at $28,651, and the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This means that students are generally leaving with manageable debt, which can make a difference in starting their post-college lives. Those who thrive at St. Lawrence often appreciate a close-knit community and are eager to engage in their studies, making the most of the resources and opportunities available.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective St 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 St Lawrence University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Canton, New York, St Lawrence University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 54% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,371. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 54%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1371
- ACT Midpoint
- 31
- SAT Range
- 1255–1420
- ACT Range
- 30–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 79%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,401
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 5,172
- Admitted
- 3,284
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 St Lawrence University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Lawrence University is $65,900, 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 $28,651. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,420 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $65,900
- Out-of-State
- $65,900
- Avg Net Price
- $28,651
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,420
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,008
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,401
- Family Income $110K+
- $37,450
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is St Lawrence University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Lawrence University earn a median of $67,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $55,037
- 8 Years
- $58,917
- 10 Years
- $67,258
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (456)
- 76%
- 100% (456)
- 76%
- 100% (456)
- 76%
- 100% (456)
- 76%
How St Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is St Lawrence University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, St Lawrence University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,651/year ($114,604 total). Graduates earn $67,258 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,729,798 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,615,194 (15.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 79% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $114,604
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,729,798
- Net Return
- $1,615,194
- ROI Multiple
- 15.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,651
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does St Lawrence University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
St Lawrence University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.06%, among the highest in the country. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $108,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.06%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,218,510
- Investment Income
- $-43,835,591
Top Programs
The fields St 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.
- Social Sciences 27%
- Biology & Biomedical 12%
- Psychology 10%
- Communications 9%
- Physical Sciences 4%
- Mathematics & Statistics 4%
- English & Literature 4%
- Business & Marketing 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for St 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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into St Lawrence University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Canton, New York, St Lawrence University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 54% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,371. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend St Lawrence University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Lawrence University is $65,900, 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 $28,651. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,420 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is St Lawrence University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Lawrence University earn a median of $67,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does St Lawrence University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
St Lawrence University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.06%, among the highest in the country. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $108,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is St 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 St Lawrence University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to St Lawrence University.
- Rhodes CollegeMemphis, TN · Close peer83% grad $66,651 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL · Close peer74% grad $61,825 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · Close peer74% grad $67,725 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hobart William Smith CollegesGeneva, NY · Close peer75% grad $68,831 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer74% grad $66,944 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PA · Close peer71% grad $61,860 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is St 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 St Lawrence University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note