Lawrence University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Lawrence University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique path to academic excellence. Lawrence, a liberal arts college nestled in Appleton, Wisconsin, prides itself on its small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong emphasis on undergraduate research. MIT, a world-renowned research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is celebrated for its rigorous academics, cutting-edge research facilities, and vibrant entrepreneurial culture. While both institutions share a commitment to academic rigor and student success, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lawrence University |
![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Appleton, Wisconsin | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Trimester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 99.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.0% | 4.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1230 - 1460 | N/A |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 37.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,907 | 33,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,179 | 1,365 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 402 | 1,177 |
Yield rate | 18.4% | 86.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $65,445 | $58,920 |
Average net price | $24,804 | $30,958 |
Tuition | $52,101 | $55,510 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,814
Meal plan:
$5,370
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Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $39,841 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,053 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $16,464 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,483
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 73.1% | N/A |
International students | 12.3% | 29.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,460 | 6,280 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Texas California | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.5% | 96.2% |
Dropout rate | 19.0% | 3.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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