North Central College vs. Lawrence

Deciding between North Central College and Lawrence University? 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.

North Central College
Lawrence University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Central College Naperville, IL
  • Lawrence Appleton, WI
  • Setting
  • North Central College Midsize City
  • Lawrence Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • North Central College 3,003
  • Lawrence 1,417
  • Type
  • North Central College Private 4 Year
  • Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Central College #372
  • Lawrence #202
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Central College United Methodist
  • Lawrence -
  • Status
  • North Central College Non-profit
  • Lawrence Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Central College
  • Lawrence
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Room & Board
  • North Central College $14,688
  • Lawrence $12,165
  • Average Net Price
  • North Central College $23,276
  • Lawrence $27,161
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Central College $34,056
  • Lawrence $42,688
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Central College 100%
  • Lawrence 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • North Central College 4,596
  • Lawrence 3,270
  • Admitted
  • North Central College 3,554
  • Lawrence 2,091
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Central College 77.3%
  • Lawrence 63.9%
  • Enrolled
  • North Central College 13.6%
  • Lawrence 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Central College 1180
  • Lawrence 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Central College 26
  • Lawrence 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Central College 3.6
  • Lawrence 3.52
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Central College A-
  • Lawrence A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Central College Challenging
  • Lawrence Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Central College
  • Lawrence Low
  • ACT Range
  • North Central College 24/29
  • Lawrence 24/31
  • SAT Range
  • North Central College 1055/1310
  • Lawrence 1200/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Central College Test optional
  • Lawrence Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • North Central College Apr 15, 2027
  • Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Central College 12:1
  • Lawrence 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Central College
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Lawrence
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Central College 64%
  • Lawrence 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Central College $48,900
  • Lawrence $45,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Central College 74%
  • Lawrence 76%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Central College $25,000
  • Lawrence $27,350
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Central College $258
  • Lawrence $282
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Central College 45%
  • Lawrence 48%
  • % Women
  • North Central College 55%
  • Lawrence 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Central College Low
  • Lawrence Medium
  • HBCU
  • North Central College No
  • Lawrence No
  • % White
  • North Central College 71%
  • Lawrence 70%
  • % Asian
  • North Central College 2%
  • Lawrence 5%
  • % Black
  • North Central College 4%
  • Lawrence 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Central College 11%
  • Lawrence 7%
  • % Native American
  • North Central College 0%
  • Lawrence 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Central College 0%
  • Lawrence 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Central College 3%
  • Lawrence 4%
  • % International
  • North Central College 2%
  • Lawrence 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Central College 7%
  • Lawrence 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Central College 80%
  • Lawrence 28%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Central College 16%
  • Lawrence 62%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

North Central College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
  • North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

North Central College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central 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 North Central College than Lawrence ($23,276 vs. $27,161).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 17.2% lower than at North Central College ($12,165 vs. $14,688).
  • Lawrence University is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Central College (about $11,256 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $45,726.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Lawrence than at North Central College (about $11,256 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $45,726.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 25.3% larger than aid received by North Central College students ($42,688 vs. $34,056).

North Central College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central 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 North Central College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 130 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
  • Incoming Lawrence students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at North Central College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Lawrence University 24/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
  • North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

North Central College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central 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).

  • Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than North Central College's (64%).
  • Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,350).
  • Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($258 vs. $282).
  • More Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.