March 1, 2018
Dear Students,
During its recently held winter meeting the Lawrence Board of Trustees set the comprehensive fee for the 2018-19 academic year. Full-time tuition will be $47,175. Together with room, board and fees, the total comprehensive fee will be $57,816 – a 3% increase over last year. Thanks to significant efforts by many to contain our operating costs, this is the fourth consecutive year that Lawrence has been able to hold the comprehensive fee increase to 3% or less.
You can see a more detailed breakdown of next year’s comprehensive fee at go.lawrence.edu/fees.
Lawrence remains committed to the value of off-campus and study abroad programs as important parts of a liberal arts education. Last year, we increased need-based financial aid for these programs. We remain committed to keeping the increase of that aid at the same rate as Lawrence tuition. For next year, that increase will amount to a per-term maximum of $8550. Several recent gifts from the Lawrence community have also established new scholarships specifically for study abroad. We expect to continue to restructure off-campus and study abroad costs to ensure increased access to these programs.
In addition, beginning this summer starting wages for student work on campus will increase to 3.5% beyond the Wisconsin minimum wage – with many positions earning considerably more depending on experience and job responsibilities.
While we strive to keep cost increases in check, we remain committed to investing in a Lawrence education. Lawrence will continue to provide learning opportunities that help prepare its students for success in an ever-changing world, will maintain one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the country, and will ensure a highly personalized college experience.
I wish you great success as you end winter term and head into a well-deserved spring break.
Sincerely,
Mark Burstein
President