Illinois College vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

Illinois College vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Illinois College than Lake Forest College ($17,375 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 5.3% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,026 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 45.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois College (about $17,726 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $38,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Lake Forest College than at Illinois College (about $17,726 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $38,676.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 25.4% larger than aid received by Illinois College students ($39,630 vs. $31,609).

Illinois College vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 260 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

Illinois College vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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 Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Forest College and Illinois College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lake Forest College and Illinois College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 78%)

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.