DePaul vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DePaul University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

DePaul vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or Lake Forest College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Forest College than DePaul ($31,225 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 33.5% lower than at DePaul University ($12,700 vs. $19,095).
• Lake Forest College is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $10,403 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at DePaul University (about $10,403 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 35.3% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($39,630 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or Lake Forest College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lake Forest College and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 50 points higher than at DePaul (1240).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at DePaul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• DePaul has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

DePaul vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and Lake Forest College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.