Lawrence University
Appleton, Wisconsin · Private Nonprofit · 63.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Lawrence University scores 52 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The completion rate of 76.8% and repayment rate of 82.4% are adequate, but the debt-to-earnings ratio sub-score of 15 (out of 100) reflects $26,000 median debt against $32,600 average 6-year earnings - a ratio of 0.798 that is well above sustainable. The payback period of 11.2 years is long. Sticker tuition is $56,982 but net price averages $23,401, with low-income students paying $10,419-$13,332. Lawrence is a small liberal arts and conservatory college in Appleton, Wisconsin, with 1,396 students. The program mix is arts-heavy: Music (59 graduates) is the largest program with year-four earnings of $43,385. Economics (21 graduates) reaches $71,338 at year four - the best four-year outcome but without a reported year-one figure. Psychology (43 graduates) reaches $45,971 at year four with a B+ debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.326. Biology (36 graduates) reaches $38,092 at year four with a B+ grade. Most programs lack year-one earnings data, limiting Scorecard transparency.
Lawrence University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $56,982/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $56,982/yr |
| Average net price | $23,401/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $93,604 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,789 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 76.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,396 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $56,982/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $23,401/year, or roughly $93,604 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $10,419/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $32,758/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $26,000, which works out to about $276 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($32,600) and comes to 0.80, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,419 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,332 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,020 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,256 |
| $110,001+ | $32,758 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $10,419 per year and the 30001-48000 bracket pays $13,332. These are genuinely low net prices against a $56,982 sticker, reflecting substantial aid commitment. Against $32,600 average 6-year earnings and $26,000 median debt (ratio 0.798), the financial picture is still strained. Low-income students who complete and enter economics or health-related careers can make the numbers work; those entering music or humanities face a harder debt-service timeline.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,020 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,256. These rise toward a level where the debt-to-earnings strain becomes meaningful. The 11.2-year payback period is a clear signal that financial returns are not the institution's strong suit.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $32,758 per year - roughly $131,000 over four years. The exception is economics, where the four-year trajectory to $71k is more defensible. High-income families choosing Lawrence are investing in the arts, intellectual culture, and residential experience rather than earnings optimization.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at Lawrence University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Music | $43,385 | B |
| Psychology | $45,971 | B+ |
| Biology | $38,092 | B+ |
| International Relations | $50,021 | - |
| Economics | $71,338 | - |
| English Language and Literature | $47,954 | - |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $44,313 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Economics
Economics (21 graduates) reaches $71,338 at year four (no year-one figure reported). Scorecard does not report a debt-to-earnings ratio or ROI grade for this program. The four-year figure is the strongest earnings outcome at Lawrence and consistent with finance, consulting, and business analysis roles. Small program size limits statistical precision. Students interested in economics at Lawrence should investigate alumni placement in graduate programs and finance careers.
Psychology
Psychology (43 graduates) is the largest program by volume and reaches $45,971 at year four, with a B+ debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.326 and median debt of $15,000 - notably lower than the institutional median. The lower debt figure is likely a cohort effect rather than systematic but it keeps this program's ratio manageable. Scorecard does not report year-one earnings for this program.
Music
Music (59 graduates) is the largest program by volume and reaches $43,385 at year four (no year-one figure). Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.438 (B grade) with median debt of $19,000. Music performance and arts-related careers are the destination for most graduates. Earnings are modest but the relatively lower debt (compared to institutional median of $26,000) keeps the ratio acceptable. Lawrence's conservatory reputation provides career differentiation for performance-track graduates.
Biology
Biology (36 graduates) reaches $38,092 at year four, with a B+ grade (debt-to-earnings 0.344, median debt $13,096). No year-one figure is reported. The four-year figure is consistent with health sciences, research, or graduate school entry positions. Biology at Lawrence is a strong pre-professional path for students targeting medical or graduate school; the low year-four earnings reflect that many graduates are still in training programs at that point.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.4% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.0% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Lawrence University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 63.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 590-710 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 610-710 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-31 |
| Enrollment | 1,396 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,785 |
Lawrence admits 63.9% of applicants. SAT 590-710 Math and 610-710 Reading spans a fairly wide range. ACT 24-31 composite. The conservatory attracts high-level music students who may have different academic profiles than arts and sciences applicants. Admission is not a significant barrier; program fit and financial planning are more important considerations.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence University (this school) | 52 | $23,401 | $55,789 |
| Bellin College | 72 | $37,408 | $76,222 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Union University | 52 | $27,171 | $53,990 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | 49 | $30,857 | $57,673 |
| Alverno College | 39 | $22,540 | $53,145 |
Who Thrives Here
Lawrence admits 63.9% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 590-710 Math and 610-710 Reading; ACT 24-31. Enrollment of 1,396 is small. Pell grant rate of 22.0% indicates moderate low-income enrollment. Lawrence attracts students with serious interest in music performance, liberal arts scholarship, and interdisciplinary study. The conservatory of music is a nationally recognized asset. Students who will pursue graduate or professional school - common in biological sciences, economics, and humanities - find Lawrence's academic depth valuable, but should calibrate the debt load against expected earnings timelines. Students expecting high-earning entry-level employment directly from a Lawrence degree will find the data disappointing.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Lawrence University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $23,401 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $55,789 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 11.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: its 76.8% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $26,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $32,600 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Lawrence University: Common Questions
Is Lawrence University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Lawrence University scores 52/100 on our ROI scale. At $23,401 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $55,789 ten years after entry, so it takes about 11.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Lawrence University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $23,401 a year, or roughly $93,604 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Lawrence University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $55,789 ten years after enrolling, roughly $13,989 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Lawrence University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 11.2 years for Lawrence University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Lawrence University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $26,000, against average earnings of $32,600 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Lawrence University?
The six-year graduation rate is 76.8%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.