Wheaton College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Wheaton College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College ($27,161 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 6.5% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,165 vs. $13,010).
• Lawrence University is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $11,436 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Lawrence than at Wheaton College (about $11,436 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($42,688 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 60 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Wheaton College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,850 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($232 vs. $282).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.