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Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois · Private (nonprofit)

Ranked #75 US News
Feb 15Application deadline

FindU Grade

A-Value
N/ACampus
A-Academics
C+Admissions
B+Student Life
A-Overall

About

Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It is a private (nonprofit) institution. The university enrolls approximately 1,782 students.

lakeforest.edu

Cost and aid

Cost breakdown

In-state tuition$54,202
Out-of-state tuition$54,202
Room & board$12,480
Avg aid package$37,907
Students receiving aid35%
Pell grant recipients35%

Lake Forest College is committed to meeting as much of a student’s demonstrated financial need as possible through grants, loans, and work-study. The college also offers merit-based scholarships recognizing academic achievement, talent, and community engagement. With these financial aid opportunities, Lake Forest aims to make education accessible to qualified students from all economic backgrounds.

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Admissions

Test scores

SAT · middle 50%1170–1365
4001600
ACT · middle 50%28–31
136

Application info

Acceptance rate59%
Average GPA3.70
Student–faculty ratio12:1
Test optionalYes
Common AppYes
Application fee$0

Application dates

Regular DecisionFeb 15

Lake Forest College is considered a more selective institution, seeking students with strong academic records and diverse backgrounds. The college's admissions selectivity rank is 88 out of 99 according to The Princeton Review. Lake Forest looks for students who demonstrate curiosity, drive, and a passion for learning.

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Academics

Graduation rate74%
Retention rate86%
Student–faculty ratio12:1
Full-time faculty60%

Lake Forest College offers a rigorous academic environment with small class sizes and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Professors are accomplished scholars who include undergraduates in their research and provide mentorship. The college encourages students to explore their passions through a flexible curriculum that supports double majors and minors.

Outcomes

Median earnings (10 yrs)$61,825
Avg starting salary$43,400
Job placement rate97%
Internship rate86%
Earn more than HS grad79%
Economic mobility179%
Loan default (3 yr)1%
Loan repayment (3 yr)77%

Lake Forest College emphasizes career preparation, providing students with access to internships in Chicago and beyond. The Career Advancement Center offers essential skills, experiences, and networks to help students pursue meaningful careers. Impressively, 97% of the Class of 2024 were employed or enrolled in continuing education within six months of graduation.

Student life

Demographics

Small School
1,782Student size

Compared to 5,382 national average

More femaleGender ratio
Female 58%Male 42%
47% WhiteRacial diversity
White 47%Hispanic 19%Asian 6%Black 3%Other 25%
Campus housingYes

Lake Forest College offers a vibrant campus life with over 80 clubs and organizations, including a student radio station and active Greek life. With 75% of students living on campus, there's a strong sense of community. Students enjoy a balance of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, with many participating in varsity, intramural, or club athletics.

Student reviews

Professors

College junior

For a school that totes around a 50% acceptance rate, the school'... s academics seem in tune with a school that has about half the percentage of it. Introductory courses seem to weed out students by requiring seemingly unnecessary work. Let me put it this way: A friend of mine applied to Penn State, and his GPA was bumped from 3.5 to 3.7 for their application pool given that he went to Lake Forest College.

Cost and value

College sophomore

I'll be the first to admit, I have my issues with the financial aid office. But besides the few problems I have with them, they really do tend to give out very generous aid packages. I am an out of state student and I pay about 5,000 per semester out of pocket. I've also worked in the admissions office for almost two years now and have watched hundreds of students go through this process here's my advice to applicants: 2) Apply for a Forester Scholarship in academics, the arts, sciences, or community even if you think you won't get it. Most students who take the initiative to send them in get something usually. 3) If you know someone who's graduated from here you get an automatic 8,000 scholarship just for knowing them. All of this is outside of the merit/need based financial aid that the school offers.

About Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College prioritizes campus safety with 24-hour security patrol, emergency phones, and escort safety rides. The college is located in Lake Forest, which is considered one of the safest cities in the country. These measures contribute to a secure residential campus environment for students.

Lake Forest College offers several honors opportunities, including the Richter Scholar Summer Research Program and the James Rocco Quantitative Research Fellowships. These programs provide students with the chance to conduct independent research with faculty and receive funding for innovative projects. Exceptional student work is recognized through awards like the Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award.

Lake Forest College welcomes students from around the world, with international students representing 114 countries. The college provides resources and support for international students, fostering a diverse and inclusive community. With a significant percentage of the student body being international, Lake Forest offers a global perspective and cross-cultural experiences.

Endowment$112,193,194
Avg faculty salary$107,232

Lake Forest College FAQ

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Your SAT 1380Admit range 1230–1480
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