St. Mary's College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (1,601 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College 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 St. Mary's College ($27,161 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 14.7% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($12,165 vs. $14,260).
• Lawrence University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's College (about $3,752 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Lawrence than at Saint Mary's College (about $3,752 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Saint Mary's College students ($42,688 vs. $38,748).

St. Mary's College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's College or Lawrence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lawrence and St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 80 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

St. Mary's College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Lawrence? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, St. Mary's College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.