Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois. 1,813 undergraduates. Admits 57% of applicants.

73%Graduation rate18 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$24,987Average net price per year26% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$70,470Median earnings 10 years after starting20% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$26,250Median debt at graduation21% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($26,250) equals 37% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($70,470).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$16,922
$30,000–$48,000$17,334
$48,001–$75,000$17,492
$75,001–$110,000$21,622
Over $110,000$33,218

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $58,902.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate73%54%
Return for second year90%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$53,152$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$70,470$58,912
Median debt at graduation$26,250$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

36 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Political Science and Government26$23,698$94,313$19,500
Finance and Financial Management Services21$69,803$92,997$24,375
Economics26$66,473$90,802—
International Relations and National Security Studies7—$78,778—
Business/Commerce, General65$56,152$78,239$27,000
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics11$43,611$74,427$25,000
Biology, General32$38,483$73,239$26,000
Communication and Media Studies31$49,314$69,889—
Social Sciences, Other0—$58,908—
English Language and Literature, General23$40,657$57,787$23,236
Psychology, General0—$55,436—
Research and Experimental Psychology48$44,283—$22,750
Neurobiology and Neurosciences35$38,852—$26,000
Natural Resources Conservation and Research21$38,234—$24,333
Area Studies6———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies4———
Computer and Information Sciences, General11———
Computer Science14———
Education, General6———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas1———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities11———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology13———
Mathematics5———
Statistics8———
Data Analytics13———
Philosophy12———
Religion/Religious Studies2———
Chemistry10———
Physics8———
Sociology and Anthropology25——$23,875
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft4———
Fine and Studio Arts18———
Music6———
History15——$27,000

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

57%Admission rate
1,343Average SAT of admitted students
28–32ACT middle 50%
13:1Students per faculty member
34%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Lake Forest College cost per year?
The average net price at Lake Forest College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $24,987 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Lake Forest College graduates earn?
Former Lake Forest College students earn a median of $70,470 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Lake Forest College?
73% of Lake Forest College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Lake Forest College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Lake Forest College is $26,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.