Students at Lawrence University achieve above-average long-term earnings that reflect the value of personalized liberal arts education in a small-college setting.
The combination of strong graduation rates and solid career outcomes places Lawrence among the more effective institutions for student mobility and financial success.
Lawrence University is a small private liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisconsin, that delivers strong long-term financial outcomes despite serving a relatively selective student population. With median 10-year earnings of $55,789, Lawrence graduates achieve above-average returns that place the institution in the 65th percentile nationally for earnings performance. The college combines the intimate scale of a liberal arts environment with solid career preparation, particularly in economics and music programs.
What distinguishes Lawrence is its ability to maintain strong graduation rates and earnings outcomes while preserving the close faculty-student relationships that define quality liberal arts education. Nearly 76% of students complete their degrees within six years, and those who do go on to earn competitive salaries that reflect both the quality of their education and the strength of Lawrence's alumni network.
As a small private college with fewer than 1,500 students, Lawrence offers an intensely personal educational experience that larger institutions cannot match. The college's location in Wisconsin provides access to both regional opportunities and broader national networks, making it an attractive option for students who want the benefits of a close-knit academic community without sacrificing long-term career prospects.
Lawrence University's program portfolio reflects the breadth and depth typical of quality liberal arts colleges, with particular strengths in economics and music that drive strong graduate outcomes. Applied Economics stands out as the college's highest-return program, combining solid enrollment with competitive earnings around $54,035 ten years out. This program effectively prepares students for careers in business, finance, and analytical fields where liberal arts training provides valuable critical thinking and communication skills.
The college's music programs, particularly brass instruments, represent Lawrence's commitment to artistic excellence and reflect the institution's conservatory heritage. While music graduates may see more modest early earnings around $20,140, these programs contribute to Lawrence's distinctive identity and often lead to fulfilling careers in performance, education, and arts administration. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology rounds out the college's strongest programs, preparing students for graduate study and careers in healthcare and research.
Lawrence's small scale allows for intensive mentorship and research opportunities across all programs, creating advantages that larger institutions cannot match. The college's approach emphasizes developing versatile skills and intellectual curiosity rather than narrow technical training, preparing graduates for career adaptability and leadership roles that may not show immediate financial returns but provide substantial long-term value.
Lawrence University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a quality liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $55,789, placing the institution above average nationally for earnings outcomes. While this represents strong performance for a small liberal arts college, it's worth noting that Lawrence graduates enter diverse career paths that may show more variation in early earnings compared to institutions focused on pre-professional programs.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its Applied Economics program, which combines high enrollment with solid earnings outcomes, making it a key driver of Lawrence's overall performance. Economics graduates earn around $54,035 ten years out, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in preparing students for business, finance, and analytical careers. The college also maintains strong programs in music, particularly brass instruments, though these graduates typically pursue careers where financial returns may develop more gradually over time.
Lawrence's approach to career preparation emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and intellectual breadth rather than narrow technical training. This liberal arts foundation serves graduates well in fields requiring adaptability and leadership, though it may mean that peak earnings potential develops over a longer timeline compared to more specialized programs. The college's small size creates strong alumni networks and mentorship opportunities that support career advancement well beyond graduation.
Lawrence University's affordability varies significantly by family income, reflecting the typical pattern for selective private liberal arts colleges. Low-income students pay about $12,025 annually after aid, which represents strong financial support for families who qualify for need-based assistance. Middle-income families see net prices around $17,215, while higher-income families pay closer to $32,492 per year, reflecting the college's high sticker price but substantial aid for students with demonstrated need.
The college's financial aid strategy focuses heavily on making education accessible to students from lower-income backgrounds while expecting higher-income families to contribute more substantially to educational costs. This approach is common among selective private institutions and reflects Lawrence's commitment to socioeconomic diversity within its small student body. The aid structure helps explain why about 21% of students receive Pell Grants despite the college's selective admissions profile.
For families considering Lawrence, the key affordability question is whether the premium for small-college education aligns with family priorities and financial capacity. The college's strong graduation rates and solid long-term earnings help justify the investment for many families, particularly those who value the personalized attention and close faculty relationships that define the Lawrence experience.
Lawrence University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
