Computer Science at Lawrence University

Lawrence's computer science bachelor's produces outcomes that appear solidly middle-of-the-pack for Wisconsin—but take that assessment with caution. The earnings estimate of $59,093 comes from the state median across just six programs, and the $25,000 debt figure is drawn from national averages for similar private colleges. Without actual graduate data from Lawrence, we're essentially looking at what typical Wisconsin CS programs and similar liberal arts colleges produce, not what Lawrence specifically delivers.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests graduates could theoretically handle loan payments, but here's the concern: Lawrence's estimated first-year earnings lag about $11,800 behind the national median for CS programs and fall well short of top Wisconsin performers like UW-Milwaukee ($73,795) or Saint Norbert ($70,730). Whether that gap reflects Lawrence's small program size, its liberal arts focus, or something else is unclear from estimated data alone. Computer science graduates generally command strong salaries, but if Lawrence's actual outcomes cluster toward the lower end of Wisconsin's range, the financial advantage of the degree diminishes considerably.

For a family weighing this investment, the fundamental question is whether Lawrence's academic environment justifies potentially weaker early earnings compared to state flagship alternatives. Request graduation and placement data directly from Lawrence—where graduates work, starting salary ranges, and what percentage land technical roles versus other fields—before committing to what could be $25,000 in debt for uncertain financial returns.