Lawrence named Wisconsin’s best liberal arts college by U.S. News

Lawrence University is the No. 1 liberal arts college in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Colleges rankings.

In the annual rankings, released Sept. 24, 2024, Lawrence increased its placement in five key categories-including best undergraduate teaching-while continuing to be the highest ranked liberal arts college in the state.

Overall, Lawrence ranks 69th among all liberal arts colleges in the nation, up from 75 in the 2024 rankings. It is the only Wisconsin college in the top 89.

Other categories where Lawrence placed:

• In Best Value colleges-measuring affordability, including financial aid, and academic quality-Lawrence came in at 38 among national liberal arts colleges, up from 41.
• Lawrence placed 56th in Best Undergraduate Teaching among liberal arts colleges, making that list for the fifth time since 2016.
• In a ranking of Best Social Mobility among all colleges-measuring the success of a college advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating students who qualify for Pell Grants-Lawrence placed 112, up from 155.
• Lawrence also placed 255th among all colleges in Best Undergraduate Economics programs, marking the first time Lawrence has been listed in that category.

The U.S. News rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions that are regionally accredited, including 211 national liberal arts colleges.

The rankings come as Lawrence continues to strategically invest in academic programs and the career readiness of its students.

Lawrence is preparing to open the Business & Entrepreneurship Center on the second floor of Fox Commons this fall. That will be followed by the opening of the Pre-Health Commons on the third floor next summer. Built in conjunction with new student apartments in the downtown Appleton development, both will feature academic spaces geared toward collaboration with community partners and new opportunities for career discernment and exploration.

The Humanities Center will be a featured piece of the West Campus development, a building project on the western edge of campus scheduled for completion in mid-2025. It will allow for faculty and students in humanities disciplines to more effectively collaborate across divisions while utilizing modern technologies.

Also, a $48,000 grant is allowing Lawrence faculty to explore new ways to infuse career discernment and exploration into humanities courses.

The Center for Teaching Excellence's interactive classroom and related resources provide opportunities for faculty to expand and update their teaching.

Upcoming renovations to Harper Hall's performance space in the Music-Drama Center will modernize teaching opportunities in the Conservatory of Music.

A faculty-led reworking of First-Year Studiesembraces the importance and tradition of the cross-discipline course for first-year students while making it more cohesive and focused.

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