Lake Forest College vs. Case Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Case Western? 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 Case Western ($31,225 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 32.3% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($12,700 vs. $18,762).
• Case Western Reserve University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $10,206 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at Case Western than at Lake Forest College (about $10,206 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Case Western Reserve University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Case Western Reserve University students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($41,913 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Case Western? 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 Case Western and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 200 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Case Western 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; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Case Western 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 Case Western (36.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

Lake Forest College vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Case Western? 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).

• Case Western Reserve University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $30,900 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Case Western Reserve University graduates have a $2,934 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($24,066 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Case Western graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Case Western 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.