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

Appleton, Wisconsin · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2024-2025

  • Test-optional
  • Early Action
3,270
Applicants
2,091
Admitted64%
351
Enrolled
17%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Moderately selective64% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1340
Mid 50: 1240–1420
In-state tuition
$56,982
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$23,401
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #68 (tie) in National Liberal Arts CollegesU.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Lawrence University, read on 2026-06-15.

Is Lawrence University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Lawrence University is a private nonprofit university in Appleton, Wisconsin that admits about 64% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $23,401 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Music, Biology, General and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 77% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 7.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Lawrence University is a private institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Lawrence University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 64%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1340 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,401 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Lawrence University?

53% of enrolled students at Lawrence University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
13.0%
3.75–3.99
18.0%
3.50–3.74
22.0%
3.25–3.49
20.0%
3.00–3.24
13.0%
2.50–2.99
12.0%
Below 2.50
2.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lawrence University.

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What does Lawrence University weight in admissions?

Lawrence University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important

5
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities

Important

3
  • Application essay
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities

Considered

7
  • Standardized test scores
  • Recommendations
  • First generation status
  • Geographical residence
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Not Considered

3
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Lawrence University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–31. 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 percentile1240
50th percentile1340
75th percentile1420
% submitting SAT21%
ACT Composite
25th percentile24
50th percentile29
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT33%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional since 2005, for admission and scholarships.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Lawrence University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

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 class34%
Top 25% of class58%
Top 50% of class92%
% submitting class rank38%

How much does Lawrence University actually cost?

Published tuition is $56,982 for in-state students and $56,982 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,165 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,401 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition—
Room and board—
Average net price (after aid)$23,401
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need93%
Average need-based grant$47,410
Average merit award, no financial need107 first-year students received one$37,342
Graduates who borrowed53%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$31,359
Financial aid formsFAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee—

Application deadlines and early decision data for Lawrence University

Regular admission
Early admission
ED acceptance rate73%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA acceptance rate73%

Will my child graduate from Lawrence University?

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

Freshman retention
87%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
56.8%
finished on time
6-year graduation
77%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Lawrence University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Lawrence University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Music, Biology, General and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Lawrence University confers roughly 238 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Music program report a median income of about $32,725 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Music57$32,725
Biology, General35$45,689
Psychology, General30$39,248
Economics28$80,210
Political Science and Government24$57,718
Fine and Studio Arts23$24,014
Natural Resources Conservation and Research22n/a
English Language and Literature, General19$47,453
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Lawrence University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Lawrence University disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 7.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
11
7.9 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
11
7.88 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,396 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Lawrence University?

About 94% of undergraduates at Lawrence University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% 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
94%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
79%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
0%
of course sections
In fraternities
0%
of men
In sororities
0%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lawrence University.

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Common questions parents ask about Lawrence University

What GPA do I need for Lawrence University?

53% of enrolled students at Lawrence University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Lawrence University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–31.

How much does Lawrence University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Lawrence University after grants and scholarships is $23,401 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $56,982. Budget against the net figure.

Is Lawrence University realistic for my child?

Lawrence University admits 64% of applicants, so 590–710 SAT Math is target range and below 590 is a reach. Then check the $23,401 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Lawrence University?

Lawrence University accepts about 64% of applicants out of roughly 3,270 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Lawrence University test-optional?

Yes. Lawrence University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, 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 Lawrence University?

About 77% of students at Lawrence University graduate within six years, and 57% finish in four years. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Lawrence University?

Lawrence University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 73%, compared with its overall rate of 64%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Lawrence University look for in applicants?

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

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

Lawrence University is a private nonprofit institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin.

What are the most popular majors at Lawrence University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Lawrence University by annual graduates are Music, Biology, General and Psychology, General. The school awards about 238 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

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

Lawrence University reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 7.9 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 Lawrence University?

At Lawrence University, 94% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lawrence University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers