Lake Forest College vs. Butler

Comparable Facts

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

Butler University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 1,837 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Butler University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Butler University 11:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Butler Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Butler? 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 Butler ($31,225 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 22.7% lower than at Butler University ($12,700 vs. $16,430).
• Lake Forest College is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Butler (about $8,842 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at Butler University (about $8,842 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($39,630 vs. $27,790).

Lake Forest College vs. Butler Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Butler? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Butler and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 30 points higher than at Butler (1260).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Butler).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Butler University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lake Forest College 28/32; Butler University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Butler - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Butler students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 12.9% at Butler.

Lake Forest College vs. Butler Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Butler? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Butler University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Butler University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.