Lawrence University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Lawrence University charges a net price of $23,401/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $93,604. Graduates earn a median $55,789 ten years after entry, $7,429/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.6 years — a 20-year net return of $54,976, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Lawrence University's 12.6-year payback ranks #889 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 31% of them, and #19 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,401/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $93,604 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,789 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $7,429/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $54,976 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Lawrence University's own numbers. Net price $23,401 × 4 years = $93,604 total. Median earnings $55,789 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,429 a year of premium. $93,604 ÷ $7,429 = 12.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $54,976. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Lawrence University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 47% of the $55,789 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Lawrence University students graduate?
77% finish their degree. Spread the $93,604 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $121,564 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Lawrence University expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $23,401 net price runs $8,208 above the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, or $32,832 more across the full degree.