Admit rate has ranged 62%–75% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lawrence University is a small, fiercely independent liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisconsin, where intellectual curiosity meets artistic expression. With a 64% acceptance rate and a 'test-optional' policy, it attracts creative, self-directed students who thrive in its conservatory-meets-liberal-arts environment. The school's 65 majors and 'busy culture' foster a tight-knit community of scholars and performers who graduate with strong outcomes—78% of white students and 76% of Pell Grant recipients finish within six years.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,396
In-state tuition
$56,982
Out-of-state tuition
$56,982
Total Cost
$71,697
Acceptance Rate
63.9%
On-Campus Housing
94%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Median Early-Career Salary
$36,427
6-Year Grad Rate (White Students)
78%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,789
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
77%
First-year retention
87%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-generation share
17%
Endowment / student
Financial health
2.3 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$54,035
Political Science and Government$29,685
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$28,960
History$28,019
Biology, General$25,194
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$23,113
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
10
Per 1,000 students
7.16
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
95
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
16°F
Annual rain
36.3"
Annual snow
41.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
137
Scholarly works
3,037
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lawrence University?
Lawrence University's acceptance rate is approximately 64% (Appleton, WI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Lawrence University?
Admitted students at Lawrence University typically score 1200–1420 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Lawrence University cost?
At Lawrence University, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,401 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lawrence University?
Lawrence University enrolls approximately 1,396 undergraduate students.
Where is Lawrence University located?
Lawrence University is located in Appleton, WI.
Admissions
Lawrence University is somewhat selective, with a 63.9% acceptance rate (64 out of 100 applicants admitted). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1240–1420 on the SAT or 26–32 on the ACT, with an average GPA of 3.7. Notably, Lawrence is test-optional—it accepts but does not require SAT/ACT scores for admission or scholarships. Transfer applicants for music programs must submit a music resume and audition. The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with no strict open-admission policy.
Lawrence offers and , encouraging interdisciplinary combinations. Popular majors include and , but the curriculum leans heavily into the arts and sciences. The B.A. program allows students to choose from , while the conservatory integrates rigorous music training. Small classes and a foster close mentorship. Unique opportunities include undergraduate research, performance-based learning, and field work with professors—hallmarks of its 'exploration' culture.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
English Language and Literature, General
$22,667
Psychology, General$22,329
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Lawrence revolves around its 94% on-campus housing rate, creating a residential community where individuality is celebrated but no one feels anonymous. Students are known for their 'busy culture'—juggling academics, performances, and clubs. The university fosters leadership through:
Weekends might involve field trips with professors or concerts at the conservatory. The vibe is collaborative rather than competitive, with a strong emphasis on creative expression.
Lawrence graduates boast strong retention and completion rates:
78% of white students graduate within six years
76% of Pell Grant recipients persist to graduation
71% of multiracial students finish their degrees
Early-career outcomes are solid, with graduates earning a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation. The university emphasizes return on investment, tracking alumni success in graduate schools and creative fields. Notably, outcomes are equitable across demographic groups—a rarity among liberal arts colleges.
The total annual cost at Lawrence is $71,697, but the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid drops to $27,393. Key details:
64.22% of students receive financial aid
Average aid package: $53,020
Federal Pell Grants cover a portion for eligible students
The university provides a Net Price Calculator to estimate individualized costs. While the sticker price is steep, generous aid packages make Lawrence accessible to middle-income families, particularly for high-achieving students.
Lawrence is uniquely hybrid—a top-tier liberal arts college with a world-class conservatory, where a biology major might minor in violin performance. Its 'busy but supportive' culture attracts self-starters who want to design their own path. Unlike more rigid peers, Lawrence encourages cross-disciplinary work (e.g., physics + music theory). The school punches above its weight in undergraduate research and arts access, with 100% of students engaging in performances or exhibitions. For those seeking a close-knit, creatively charged environment, it’s a hidden gem.
Lawrence University logo · sourceLawrence University – Colleges That Change Lives · sourceAbout | Lawrence University · sourceLawrence University – College Right · source
