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Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Suburb · 1,813 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$28,673
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
74%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$61,825
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
57%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Lake Forest College is a top-ranked private liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of Chicago, known for seamlessly integrating rigorous academics with exceptional career preparation and internship access. Its strongest programs include business, finance, neuroscience, and pre-health, the latter of which is enhanced by a distinctive dual-degree pathway with the nearby Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. On campus, students enjoy a collaborative and globally diverse community that balances vibrant student life with rich undergraduate research and easy access to the big city via a nearby train station. A defining feature of the student experience is the "In the Loop" program, a dedicated semester where students live, take classes, and intern directly in downtown Chicago.

Wikipedia:Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1857 as Lind University by a group of Presbyterian ministers, the college has been coeducational since 1876 and an undergraduate-focused liberal arts institution since 1903. Lake Forest enrolls approximately 1,800 students representing 43 states and 114 countries. Lake Forest offers 34 undergraduate majors and 49 minor programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and features programs of study in pre-law, pre-medicine, communication, business, finance, and computer science. Most students live on the college's wooded 107-acre (43 ha) campus located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from the Lake Michigan shore; however, the population of commuting students has increased in the past few years.

Location
Lake Forest, IL, 60045-2338 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORD · Chicago O'Hare
19 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$56,402
Housing & food (on campus)$12,700
Books & supplies$1,350
Cost of attendance$71,952
Average net price$28,673
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$56,402
Housing & food (on campus)$12,700
Books & supplies$1,350
Cost of attendance$71,952
Average net price$28,673
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.lakeforest.edu
How it’s made up · 2025-26
Lake Forest College’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$58,000
Fees$902
Housing$6,325
Food$6,725
Total published by the school$71,952
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$19,605
$30–48k
$20,210
$48–75k
$21,481
$75–110k
$26,055
$110k+
$35,341
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$33,950
First-years who got one81
Source: Lake Forest College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
74%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
70%
Back for yr 2
90%
Transferred
20%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
76% graduated · 20% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$51,324
10 yrs after entry$61,825
Debt
Median at graduation$26,158
Monthly payment$277
Middle 50% owe$14.5k–$28k
90th percentile$40,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
57%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1343
R 600–713 · M 590–680
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 28–32 · E 28–34 · M 23–30
SAT middle 50%: 1190–1393
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Lake Forest College: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Lake Forest College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Lake Forest College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
32%
First-gen
25%
Family income
$59,959
Independent
4%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
47%
Hispanic
18%
Black
3%
Asian
6%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
20%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$51,324
After 10 yrs
$61,825
Research and Experimental Psychology60
Business/Commerce, General47
Finance and Financial Management Services31
Neurobiology and Neurosciences30
Biology, General26
Economics24
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics23
Data Analytics21
Natural Resources Conservation and Research19
English Language and Literature, General18
Political Science and Government18
Sociology and Anthropology17
International Relations and National Security Studies15
Communication and Media Studies14
Philosophy14
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$124M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$9,044/mo
Teaching spend
$11,874
per student
Federal loans
67%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Lake Forest College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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