Lake Forest College
About Lake Forest College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the affluent North Shore of Chicago. It offers programs in business, psychology, communications, and neuroscience, with a 78% graduation rate and strong connections to Chicago's professional world.
Founded
1857
Location
Lake Forest, Illinois
Students
1,836
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
56.8%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
77.8%
Near national average
Tuition
$56,402
Per year
Avg Net Price
$28,673
After financial aid
SAT Average
1343
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$61,825
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
56.8 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Feb 15
Lake Forest College accepts 56.8% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.
SAT Scores
1343/ 1600
ACT Scores
29/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
77.8% complete their degree within six years
Retention
89.9%
4-Year Grad
67%
6-Year Grad
73%
Teaching Quality
12:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
100%
$/Student
$11.9K
Class Size
Medium
67% of students graduate on time, and 100% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$56,402
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$12,700
Books & Supplies
$1,350
Total Cost of Attendance
$70,655
After Financial Aid
$28,673
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$19,605
Receive Grants
32.2%
Take Loans
66.5%
The total cost of attendance runs about $70,655/yr, including $12,700 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $28,673.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Lake Forest College fund their education.
While in School
32.2%
Get Grants
Free money
66.5%
Take Loans
Must repay
$59,959
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$26,158
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$277/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The $26,158 median debt is above average, but graduates earn $62K within ten years. The numbers suggest the investment pays off for most students.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Lake Forest College.
Gender
56.7%
Female
43%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,813
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
23
Graduates
24.6%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
2.6%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 57% of the student body. 24.6% are first-generation college students. 19.8% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
1,813
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Lake Forest College fields 13 varsity teams with 579 student athletes, about 32% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
Midwest
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
13
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
579
32% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
61% / 39%
354
Men
225
Women
11
Men's Teams
12
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Lake Forest Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$61,825
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Research and Experimental Psychology
—
60 grads
Business/Commerce, General
$44K
47 grads
1yr Earnings
Finance and Financial Management Services
$61K
31 grads
1yr Earnings
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
—
30 grads
Biology, General
$33K
26 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$54K
24 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $51K at six years, $51K at eight, and $62K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Forest College
What is the acceptance rate at Lake Forest College?▾
How much does Lake Forest College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Lake Forest College?▾
How much do Lake Forest College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.