IWU vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 Wesleyan University than Lake Forest College ($28,644 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,700 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $1,302 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at IWU than at Lake Forest College (about $1,302 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($42,181 vs. $39,630).

IWU vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 60 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

IWU vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Forest College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lake Forest College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.