Lawrence University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Appleton, Wisconsin · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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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.
What does Lawrence University weight in admissions?
Lawrence University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Application essay
- • Interview
- • Extracurricular activities
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.
| 25th percentile | 1240 |
| 50th percentile | 1340 |
| 75th percentile | 1420 |
| % submitting SAT | 21% |
| 25th percentile | 24 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 33% |
- • 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 class | 34% |
| Top 25% of class | 58% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
| % submitting class rank | 38% |
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 — 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 |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Lawrence University
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA acceptance rate | 73% |
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
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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Music | 57 | $32,725 |
| Biology, General | 35 | $45,689 |
| Psychology, General | 30 | $39,248 |
| Economics | 28 | $80,210 |
| Political Science and Government | 24 | $57,718 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 23 | $24,014 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 22 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General | 19 | $47,453 |
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
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.
Other colleges in Wisconsin parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Lawrence University
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, 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. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
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