Lake Forest College vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Carleton 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 Carleton College than Lake Forest College ($28,047 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 27.8% lower than at Carleton College ($12,700 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $12,490 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Carleton College than at Lake Forest College (about $12,490 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($56,846 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Carleton 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 Carleton College and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 220 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Lake Forest College vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.