In this guide, we will compare two liberal arts colleges, The College of Wooster and Lawrence University. Both are well-regarded institutions known for their outstanding academics, diverse student bodies, and beautiful campuses. However, each school has its own unique set of strengths, challenges, and opportunities. We will examine their costs, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni networks, rankings, and outcomes to help you make an informed decision about which institution might be the best fit for you.
Wooster Overview
The College of Wooster, founded in 1866, is a private liberal arts college located in Wooster, Ohio. Wooster has a strong commitment to undergraduate research and is known for its Independent Study program, which allows students to work closely with faculty mentors on individual research projects throughout their college career. The campus is set on 240 acres and has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1, ensuring small class sizes and personalized attention from professors.
Wooster Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the tuition and fees at Wooster are $54,000. Room and board charges are approximately $13,000. The college offers generous financial aid packages, with 99% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is around $40,000. The college is committed to meeting 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need.
Wooster Admissions
Admission to the College of Wooster is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 58%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1190-1380 and an ACT score range of 25-32. The application deadline is January 15th, and the college accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Wooster is test-optional, meaning that submitting SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission.
Wooster Degrees Offered
Wooster offers over 50 majors and minors, ranging from traditional liberal arts fields like history, English, and political science, to more specialized programs in neuroscience, environmental studies, and global media and digital studies. Students have the opportunity to design their own major in consultation with faculty members. In addition to the Independent Study program, Wooster also offers off-campus study programs, internships, and research opportunities to help students gain practical experience in their chosen field.
Wooster Academics
The College of Wooster is known for its outstanding liberal arts education and commitment to undergraduate research. The academic environment at Wooster is both challenging and supportive, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty members who are passionate about teaching. The college’s curriculum is designed to help students develop strong critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, which prepare them for success in a variety of fields.
Wooster Diversity
Wooster is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. Approximately 30% of students identify as students of color, and the college has a strong international student presence, with students representing over 50 countries. The college offers numerous resources and support services for underrepresented students, including multicultural student organizations, diversity workshops, and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
Wooster Students
Wooster students are engaged, curious, and passionate about learning. The college offers over 120 student organizations, including clubs, academic honor societies, and service organizations. There are also numerous opportunities for students to get involved in athletics, with 23 varsity sports teams and a variety of intramural and club sports. The Wooster community is tight-knit, with many students living on campus throughout their college career.
Wooster Campus
The College of Wooster’s campus is characterized by its beautiful Gothic architecture and picturesque setting. The campus is home to several state-of-the-art facilities, including the newly renovated Andrews Library, the Scot Center for athletics and recreation, and the Freedlander Theatre for performing arts. Students have access to a variety of on-campus housing options, ranging from traditional residence halls to program houses focused on specific themes or interests.
Wooster Alumni
Wooster has a strong alumni network, with over 24,000 alumni worldwide. Graduates of Wooster have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, education, law, medicine, and the arts. Notable alumni include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Arthur Holly Compton, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Risen, and Emmy Award-winning actress Melinda Culea.
Wooster Rankings
The College of Wooster is ranked #67 among National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, and #81 by Forbes in their list of America’s Top Colleges. Wooster is also recognized for its commitment to undergraduate research, with the college consistently ranking among the top liberal arts colleges for the number of students who complete independent research projects.
Wooster Outcomes
Wooster graduates have a strong track record of success, with 94% of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. The college’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers a range of resources and support to help students prepare for life after graduation, including career counseling, internships, and networking opportunities.
Lawrence Overview
Lawrence University, founded in 1847, is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The university is known for its strong focus on engaged learning, with a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, including research, internships, and study abroad programs. Lawrence has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 1,500 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship from professors.
Lawrence Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the tuition and fees at Lawrence are $52,122. Room and board charges are approximately $11,544. The university offers comprehensive financial aid packages, with 99% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is around $32,659. Lawrence is committed to making education accessible and affordable for all students.
Lawrence Admissions
Admission to Lawrence University is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 62%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1190-1390 and an ACT score range of 26-32. The application deadline is January 15th, and the university accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Lawrence is test-optional, so submitting SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission.
Lawrence Degrees Offered
Lawrence offers over 40 majors and minors in both the liberal arts and sciences and the conservatory of music. Students can choose from traditional majors like biology, history, and English, as well as more specialized programs like cognitive science, film studies, and innovation and entrepreneurship. The university also allows students to create their own interdisciplinary major in consultation with faculty advisors. In addition to the diverse range of academic programs, Lawrence offers numerous opportunities for experiential learning, including research, internships, and study abroad programs.
Lawrence Academics
Lawrence University offers a rigorous and engaging liberal arts education, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. The academic environment at Lawrence is supportive and challenging, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty members who are passionate about teaching and mentoring students. The university’s curriculum is designed to help students develop a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts while also providing opportunities for in-depth study in their chosen field.
Lawrence Diversity
Lawrence is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. Approximately 25% of students identify as students of color, and the university has a strong international student presence, with students representing over 40 countries. Lawrence offers numerous resources and support services for underrepresented students, including multicultural student organizations, diversity workshops, and the Diversity and Intercultural Center.
Lawrence Students
Students at Lawrence are engaged, curious, and passionate about learning and personal growth. The university offers over 100 student organizations, including clubs, academic honor societies, and service organizations. There are also numerous opportunities for students to participate in athletics, with 22 varsity sports teams and a variety of intramural and club sports. The Lawrence community is vibrant and tight-knit, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and support among students.
Lawrence Campus
Lawrence University’s campus is situated on 84 acres along the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, with state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, and the arts. Students have access to a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, themed houses, and apartment-style living.
Lawrence Alumni
Lawrence has a strong alumni network, with over 17,000 alumni worldwide. Graduates of Lawrence have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, education, law, medicine, and the arts. Notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dominick Argento, Emmy Award-winning journalist Steve Rushin, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley.
Lawrence Rankings
Lawrence University is ranked #56 among National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, and #138 by Forbes in their list of America’s Top Colleges. The university is also recognized for its commitment to engaged learning, earning a spot on the Princeton Review’s list of Colleges That Create Futures.
Lawrence Outcomes
Lawrence graduates have a strong track record of success, with 93% of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. The university’s Center for Career, Life, and Community Engagement offers a range of resources and support to help students prepare for life after graduation, including career counseling, internships, and networking opportunities.
Wooster vs Lawrence Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Wooster and Lawrence, it is important to consider both tuition and fees and room and board charges. For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition and fees at Wooster are $54,000, while room and board charges are approximately $13,000. At Lawrence, tuition and fees are $52,122, and room and board charges are approximately $11,544. Both institutions offer generous financial aid packages, with 99% of students at each school receiving some form of financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant award at Wooster is around $40,000, while at Lawrence, it is around $32,659. Both colleges are committed to meeting 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need.
Wooster vs Lawrence Admissions Difficulty
Admission to both Wooster and Lawrence is moderately competitive, with acceptance rates of 58% and 62%, respectively. The middle 50% of admitted students at both schools have similar SAT and ACT score ranges, with Wooster’s range being 1190-1380 on the SAT and 25-32 on the ACT, and Lawrence’s range being 1190-1390 on the SAT and 26-32 on the ACT. Both colleges accept the Common Application and the Coalition Application, and both are test-optional, meaning that submitting SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission. The application deadline for both schools is January 15th.
Wooster vs Lawrence Academic Difficulty
Both Wooster and Lawrence offer rigorous liberal arts educations, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty members who prioritize teaching and mentoring students. Wooster is known for its strong focus on undergraduate research, particularly through its Independent Study program, which allows students to work closely with faculty mentors on individual research projects throughout their college career. Lawrence also places a strong emphasis on engaged learning, with numerous opportunities for students to participate in research, internships, and study abroad programs.
While both schools offer challenging academic environments, the specific difficulty of a student’s academic experience will depend on their chosen major and course load. It is important to consider which school’s academic offerings and opportunities best align with your interests and goals.
Wooster vs Lawrence Outcome Comparison
Both Wooster and Lawrence have strong track records of success for their graduates, with 94% of Wooster graduates and 93% of Lawrence graduates employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. Each institution has a dedicated career center that provides resources and support to help students prepare for life after graduation, including career counseling, internships, and networking opportunities.
When comparing outcomes, it is essential to consider which school’s resources, alumni network, and connections in your chosen field may be more beneficial for your long-term career goals.
