Lawrence University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. strong 77% graduation rate; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Lawrence University is a private nonprofit institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin with approximately 1,396 undergraduate students enrolled. Lawrence University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 64%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,401 per year. The graduation rate is 77%, and the typical graduate earns $48,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1847, its first classes were held on November 12, 1849. Lawrence was the second college in the U.S. to be founded as a coeducational institution.
Founded in 1847 and genuinely committed to the liberal arts plus a serious conservatory of music, this small Appleton school offers a distinctive combination that's hard to find elsewhere at a relatively manageable net price of $24,563/year. The 76% graduation rate and 87% freshman retention are decent but not exceptional, suggesting some students struggle to finish — worth asking about support systems on a campus visit. Median earnings of $48,700 a decade out are modest, so this is a better fit for students driven by intellectual curiosity or music than those prioritizing a high-salary career path.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Lawrence University graduates earn most above the national rate in Fine and Studio Arts ($44,313 vs $41,367 nationally), and most below it in Biology, General ($38,092 vs $57,214).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | 59 | $43,385 | $42,892 | +$493 |
| Psychology, General | 43 | $45,971 | $50,706 | −$4,735 |
| Biology, General | 36 | $38,092 | $57,214 | −$19,122 |
| Political Science and Government | 28 | $50,021 | $63,293 | −$13,272 |
| Economics | 21 | $71,338 | $82,686 | −$11,348 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 18 | $47,954 | $48,590 | −$636 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 15 | $44,313 | $41,367 | +$2,946 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,396 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Lawrence University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Lawrence University?
Lawrence University has an acceptance rate of 64%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Lawrence University hard to get into?
Lawrence University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 64%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Lawrence University cost?
The average net price at Lawrence University is about $23,401 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Lawrence University?
Lawrence University has a graduation rate of 77%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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