Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Appleton, Wisconsin
63% Acceptance Rate
Lawrence University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
63%Acceptance Rate
3.52Avg GPA
1349Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$67,824Annual Cost
$55,789Grad Salary
20.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
63%
Avg GPA
3.52
Avg SAT
1349
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1200–1430
ACT Middle 50%
27–32
Need-Based Aid
20.8% receive Pell
Lawrence University, founded in 1847, combines a top-ranked liberal arts college with a renowned conservatory of music. Its Appleton campus features the award-winning Warch Campus Center. Lawrence's 'Freshman Studies' program creates intellectual community through shared texts.
Lawrence University Acceptance Rate
At 63%, admission to Lawrence University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Lawrence Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 63% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.07
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lawrence University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Lawrence University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Decision II
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lawrence GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lawrence is 3.52. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.22 and 3.52? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.72–3.92.Lawrence GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.12 – 3.31
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.11
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Conservatory applicants (BMus, BMA, dual degree) must complete a required audition; Early Action 2 and Early Decision 2 rounds are not available for Conservatory degrees
- Con Brio Award: a one-time $1,000 award for students who audition in person and are admitted directly to a Conservatory degree program
- Trimester academic schedule; signature Freshman Studies program required of all first-years regardless of major
- Students required to live on campus for their first three years
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lawrence
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Lawrence University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lawrence University (Lawrence) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Lawrence is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Lawrence Without SAT or ACT?
Lawrence considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lawrence University Average SAT Score: 1349
The average SAT score of admitted students at Lawrence University is 1349 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1349 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1430 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lawrence University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1200, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Lawrence. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 655 | 600 | 710 |
| SAT Reading | 660 | 600 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1349 | 1200 | 1430 |
Below 1200, you're behind most admitted students; at 1430 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Lawrence University (Lawrence) with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of Lawrence's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Lawrence University (Lawrence) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Lawrence is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 30 |
| ACT English | 31 | 26 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 27 | 32 |
Can I get into Lawrence University with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Lawrence's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Lawrence.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lawrence
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Lawrence isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Prepare for a required audition regardless of Conservatory degree type
BMus, BMA, and dual degree applicants all complete this as a core admissions requirement alongside the academic file - it isn't optional or supplementary.
Audition in person if possible to be eligible for the Con Brio Award
This one-time $1,000 award is reserved specifically for students who audition on campus and are admitted directly into a Conservatory degree, not those admitted first to the BA who audition later.
Include the required self-introduction video with recorded auditions
This is a specific, named requirement for recorded auditions that's easy to overlook if you're focused only on the musical performance itself.
Secure a music-specific teacher recommendation
A private lesson teacher, general music teacher, or ensemble director must provide this - a general academic reference doesn't fulfill the Conservatory-specific requirement.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes assume they can request Early Action 2 or Early Decision 2 rounds for Conservatory programs the same way they might for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. These rounds are not available for Conservatory degrees - confirm your application round options specifically for your intended degree type before planning your timeline.
Lawrence Profile
Full Name
Lawrence University (Lawrence)
City
Appleton
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54911
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Lawrence Degree Worth It?
Lawrence offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $74,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.83%.
How much does a degree from Lawrence Cost?
The sticker price is $67,824/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
20.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 59.9% take federal loans at Lawrence. File your FAFSA early and list Lawrence as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Lawrence Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,789. That's about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lawrence University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lawrence University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lawrence University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Lawrence
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawrence Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Lawrence University run about $55,789 a year.
At about $67,824 a year, Lawrence University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Lawrence University's Pell Grant rate of 20.8% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 63%, Lawrence University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Lawrence University average a 3.52 GPA.
Lawrence University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.22 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.12, Lawrence University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Lawrence University — aim above 1349, ideally within the 1200–1430 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Lawrence University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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