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Lawrence University

Lawrence

Appleton, Wisconsin 54911

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrbanGreek life

Known for biology — close-knit campus

Lawrence University is a private institution in Appleton with particular strength in biology and psychology. With an average SAT of 1349, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.4K undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

76% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,789 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $24,563.

Established
1847
Motto
Light! More Light! Veritas est lux.
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

59 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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63%Acceptance
1349SAT Avg
1,394Students
7:1Student:Faculty
76%Grad Rate
$55,789Earnings 10yr
$24,563Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate63.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1349

Reading & WritingMid: 680
600720
MathMid: 665
600710

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 30
2732

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$55,461
Room & Board$11,838
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$67,824
Average Net Price$24,563
Median Debt at Graduation$26,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,025
$30–48K$14,498
$48–75K$17,215
$75–110K$22,712
$110K+$32,492

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

40.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (37)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

87%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,394
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
17%
Pell Grant Recipients
21%

Race & Ethnicity

White 61%
Black 4%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 5%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 12%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate76.4%
Freshman Retention87.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,653
10 Years$55,789

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#69
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Lawrence Vikings

BasketballResults

History & Fun Facts

  • History Lawrence's first president, William Harkness Sampson, founded the school with Henry R.
  • Its oldest extant building, Main Hall, was built in 1853.
  • Lawrence's first period of major growth came during the thirty-year tenure (1894―1924) of alumnus Samuel G.
  • From 1913 until 1964, it was named Lawrence College, to emphasize its small size and liberal arts education focus.
  • The name returned to Lawrence University when it merged with Milwaukee-Downer College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

100Average

Estimated from WI state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Milwaukeepop. 570K
88 mi(153 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
169 mi(293 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
244 mi(423 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee94 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare160 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul241 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
New York, NY772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Hartford, CT812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
Providence, RI872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Albany, NY742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Syracuse, NY618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Rochester, NY544 mi · ~15h 43m drive
Buffalo, NY486 mi · ~14h 2m drive
Philadelphia, PA740 mi · ~21h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA503 mi · ~14h 32m drive
Harrisburg, PA649 mi · ~18h 45m drive
Newark, NJ763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
Washington, DC693 mi · ~20h 1m drive
Baltimore, MD697 mi · ~20h 8m drive
Atlanta, GA757 mi · ~21h 52m drive
Charlotte, NC741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Raleigh, NC780 mi · ~22h 32m drive
Miami, FL1358 mi · ~39h 14m drive
Orlando, FL1153 mi · ~33h 19m drive
Tampa, FL1174 mi · ~33h 55m drive
Nashville, TN566 mi · ~16h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA993 mi · ~28h 41m drive
Richmond, VA736 mi · ~21h 16m drive
Chicago, IL169 mi · ~4h 53m drive
Detroit, MI300 mi · ~8h 40m drive
Minneapolis, MN244 mi · ~7h 3m drive
St. Louis, MO400 mi · ~11h 33m drive
Kansas City, MO478 mi · ~13h 49m drive
Indianapolis, IN331 mi · ~9h 34m drive
Columbus, OH406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
Cleveland, OH389 mi · ~11h 14m drive
Milwaukee, WI88 mi · ~2h 33m drive
Dallas, TX913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Houston, TX1072 mi · ~30h 58m drive
Austin, TX1093 mi · ~31h 35m drive
San Antonio, TX1165 mi · ~33h 39m drive
Los Angeles, CA1735 mi · ~50h 7m drive
San Francisco, CA1815 mi · ~52h 26m drive
San Diego, CA1736 mi · ~50h 9m drive
Seattle, WA1634 mi · ~47h 12m drive
Portland, OR1668 mi · ~48h 11m drive
Denver, CO905 mi · ~26h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ1469 mi · ~42h 26m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1216 mi · ~35h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI4202 mi · ~121h 23m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Lawrence University Application Checklist

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