St Lawrence University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Canton, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
56%
5,229 applicants
Median SAT
1340
Mid 50: 1270–1380
In-state tuition
$65,900
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$28,651
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

St Lawrence University is a private nonprofit university in Canton, New York that admits about 56% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $28,651 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Economics and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 79% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

St Lawrence University is a private institution located in Canton, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, St Lawrence University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 56%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1340 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,651 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for St Lawrence University?

71% of enrolled students at St Lawrence University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
30.8%
3.75–3.99
17.3%
3.50–3.74
22.6%
3.25–3.49
11.1%
3.00–3.24
9.9%
2.50–2.99
7.7%
Below 2.50
0.7%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by St Lawrence University.

What does St Lawrence University weight in admissions?

St Lawrence University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important5 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Character/personal qualities
Important1 factor
  • Extracurricular activities

SAT and ACT scores St Lawrence University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 665. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1270
50th percentile1340
75th percentile1380
% submitting SAT14%
ACT Composite
25th percentile27
50th percentile30
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT3%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class33.3%
Top 25% of class65%
Top 50% of class90.6%
% submitting class rank28.1%

How much does St Lawrence University actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,900 for in-state students and $65,900 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,000 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,651 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$69,460
Room and board$18,030
Average net price (after aid)$28,651
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for St Lawrence University

Regular admission
Regular deadline2/1
Notification date1-Jan (rolling)
Reply deadlineMay 1
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 2
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineFebruary 1
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)50%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineDecember 1

Will my child graduate from St Lawrence University?

These predict outcomes at St Lawrence University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
90.3%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
69.2%
finished on time
6-year graduation
78.6%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at St Lawrence University

The most popular undergraduate programs at St Lawrence University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Economics and Psychology, General. Across all programs, St Lawrence University confers roughly 466 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $86,492 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business/Commerce, General89$86,492
Economics76$82,561
Psychology, General67$59,597
Communication and Media Studies55$69,299
Political Science and Government55$77,943
Natural Resources Conservation and Research47
Biology, General40$66,283
English Language and Literature, General37$46,845
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is St Lawrence University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), St Lawrence University disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
7
3.6 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
7
3.65 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,918 enrolled.

What is campus life like at St Lawrence University?

About 99% of undergraduates at St Lawrence University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 11% of men join a fraternity and 24% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
99%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
11%
of men
In sororities
24%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by St Lawrence University.

Other colleges in New York parents ask about

Next steps for St Lawrence University

Common questions parents ask about St Lawrence University

What GPA do I need for St Lawrence University?

71% of enrolled students at St Lawrence University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does St Lawrence University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 665. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33.

How much does St Lawrence University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at St Lawrence University after grants and scholarships is $28,651 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,900. Budget against the net figure.

Is St Lawrence University realistic for my child?

St Lawrence University admits 56% of applicants, so 610–710 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $28,651 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at St Lawrence University?

St Lawrence University accepts about 56% of applicants out of roughly 5,229 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is St Lawrence University test-optional?

Yes. St Lawrence University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at St Lawrence University?

About 79% of students at St Lawrence University graduate within six years, and 69% finish in four years. 90% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at St Lawrence University?

St Lawrence University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 50%, compared with its overall rate of 56%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does St Lawrence University look for in applicants?

St Lawrence University rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is St Lawrence University a public or private school, and where is it located?

St Lawrence University is a private nonprofit institution located in Canton, New York.

What are the most popular majors at St Lawrence University?

The largest undergraduate majors at St Lawrence University by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Economics and Psychology, General. The school awards about 466 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is St Lawrence University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

St Lawrence University reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at St Lawrence University?

At St Lawrence University, 99% of undergraduates live on campus, 11% of men are in fraternities, 24% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by St Lawrence University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers