Bennington vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Bennington College in Bennington, VT with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lawrence University is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bennington College is located in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bennington College 9:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Bennington vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bennington or Lawrence? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lawrence University than Bennington ($27,161 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 36.3% lower than at Bennington College ($12,165 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $9,280 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at Bennington than at Lawrence University (about $9,280 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($53,064 vs. $42,688).

Bennington vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bennington or Lawrence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lawrence and Bennington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bennington College 1291/1403; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bennington College 30/32; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bennington - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bennington Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lawrence students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Bennington vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Bennington vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bennington and Lawrence? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Lawrence University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bennington College graduates have a $1,350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Bennington graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($268 vs. $282).
• More Bennington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.