Lawrence vs. MSOE

Deciding between Lawrence University and Milwaukee School of Engineering? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Lawrence University
Milwaukee School of Engineering

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lawrence Appleton, WI
  • MSOE Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • Lawrence Small City
  • MSOE Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lawrence 1,417
  • MSOE 2,953
  • Type
  • Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • MSOE Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lawrence #202
  • MSOE #230
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lawrence -
  • MSOE -
  • Status
  • Lawrence Non-profit
  • MSOE Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lawrence
  • MSOE

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Room & Board
  • Lawrence $12,165
  • MSOE $13,984
  • Average Net Price
  • Lawrence $27,161
  • MSOE $25,669
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lawrence $42,688
  • MSOE $36,997
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lawrence 100%
  • MSOE 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lawrence 3,270
  • MSOE 6,287
  • Admitted
  • Lawrence 2,091
  • MSOE 3,705
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lawrence 63.9%
  • MSOE 58.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Lawrence 16.8%
  • MSOE 17.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lawrence 1310
  • MSOE 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lawrence 27
  • MSOE 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lawrence 3.52
  • MSOE 3.65
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lawrence A-
  • MSOE A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lawrence Very High
  • MSOE Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lawrence Low
  • MSOE Low
  • ACT Range
  • Lawrence 24/31
  • MSOE 24/30
  • SAT Range
  • Lawrence 1200/1420
  • MSOE 1160/1405
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lawrence Test optional
  • MSOE Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • MSOE Sep 1, 2026

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lawrence 7:1
  • MSOE 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lawrence
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • MSOE
    • Engineering (66%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Communication (1%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Lawrence 77%
  • MSOE 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Lawrence $45,600
  • MSOE $68,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Lawrence 76%
  • MSOE 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Lawrence $27,350
  • MSOE $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Lawrence $282
  • MSOE $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Lawrence 48%
  • MSOE 70%
  • % Women
  • Lawrence 52%
  • MSOE 30%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lawrence Medium
  • MSOE Medium
  • HBCU
  • Lawrence No
  • MSOE No
  • % White
  • Lawrence 70%
  • MSOE 66%
  • % Asian
  • Lawrence 5%
  • MSOE 3%
  • % Black
  • Lawrence 3%
  • MSOE 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lawrence 7%
  • MSOE 5%
  • % Native American
  • Lawrence 0%
  • MSOE 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lawrence 0%
  • MSOE 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lawrence 4%
  • MSOE 2%
  • % International
  • Lawrence 10%
  • MSOE 13%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lawrence 1%
  • MSOE 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lawrence 28%
  • MSOE 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lawrence 62%
  • MSOE 44%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Lawrence Yes
  • MSOE Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Lawrence No
  • MSOE No
  • Meal Plan
  • Lawrence Yes
  • MSOE Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Lawrence No
  • MSOE Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Lawrence No
  • MSOE No

Comparable Facts

Compare Lawrence University in Appleton, WI with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lawrence University is located in Appleton, WI (Small City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lawrence University 7:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Lawrence vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lawrence or MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering than Lawrence ($25,669 vs. $27,161).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 13% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($12,165 vs. $13,984).
  • Lawrence University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $6,502 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $50,480.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Lawrence than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $6,502 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $50,480.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($42,688 vs. $36,997).

Lawrence vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lawrence or MSOE? 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 MSOE and Lawrence.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 30 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
  • Incoming Lawrence students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at MSOE (27).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lawrence University 1200/1420; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lawrence University 24/31; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lawrence - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
  • Accepted freshman MSOE students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
  • Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than MSOE (58.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at Lawrence vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Lawrence vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lawrence and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
  • Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
  • Among borrowers, MSOE graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
  • More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.