Acceptance Rate
57%
Avg. SAT
1393
75th percentile
“Tucked in Chicago's posh northern suburbs, Lake Forest College delivers intimate liberal arts teaching with easy escapes to the city, perfect for students craving personal attention amid Midwestern calm.”
Lake Forest, IL
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
You arrive at Lake Forest College, founded in 1857 by Presbyterian ministers as Illinois' first accredited four-year college, on a stunning 107-acre campus lined with Gothic stone buildings and overlooking Lake Michigan—yet it's the kind of place that flies under the radar, drawing fewer than 1,800 undergrads who prefer close-knit vibes over urban frenzy. Students who thrive here are curious collaborators from middle-class backgrounds, often first-gen or international (about 10% from abroad), eager for professors who know their names and a schedule packed with internships in nearby Chicago high-rises. The school's personality feels welcomingly unpretentious, like a family reunion in a wealthy neighborhood, but tradeoffs hit hard: the affluent Lake Forest suburb means a homogenous social scene dominated by white, Midwestern families, limited nightlife beyond house parties, and a 45-minute Metra commute to Chicago's buzz that tests your patience on rainy days.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Lake Forest's classrooms, capped at 20 students on average thanks to the 12:1 ratio, professors ditch lectures for Socratic seminars where you'll debate ethics in the communication arts department or dissect neural pathways in the top-ranked neuroscience program, which boasts hands-on labs simulating real research. You'll find interdisciplinary gems like environmental studies pairing fieldwork at nearby preserves with policy classes, and the business program channels Chicago's corporate pulse through capstone consulting projects for local firms. Research kicks off early—over 80% of juniors snag funded summer spots—but don't expect Big Ten-scale facilities; the tradeoffs include fewer niche majors (no engineering) and a teaching-heavy focus that prioritizes breadth over PhD-track depth.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,814 undergrad • 23 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
47%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
18%
Asian
6%
Other / Multi-racial
25%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Lake Forest, IL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with a cozy, activity-stuffed rhythm: you'll wake in one of the 11 residence halls where 95% of students live, grab coffee at the Hot Spot before Greek life mixers (40% participate) or a club lacrosse scrimmage, then hit Friday's Forester Film Fest screening indie flicks outdoors. Traditions like the Twilight Parade—students in silly costumes marching with brass bands before Homecoming—forge bonds, but the suburban bubble breeds challenges: brutal Lake Michigan winds chill fall weekends, social dynamics skew Greek-heavy with cliquey undercurrents, and weekends often mean commuting to Chicago for concerts at Ravinia or bar-hopping in Wrigleyville, leaving quieter souls to recharge solo.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Midwest Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$16,413
$30K – $48K
$17,327
$48K – $75K
$19,806
$75K – $110K
$25,666
$110K+
$31,652
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
90%
4 Years Graduation Rate
72%
6 Years Graduation Rate
77%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$61,825
90% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Lake Forest College and return in the fall. 72% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 77% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
72%
4-6 years
5%
Non-grad
23%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$52,000
Acceptance
57%
Undergrads
1,814
4-Year Grad Rate
72%
Endowment
$113M
Lake Forest, IL 60045-2338
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