Lake Forest College vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

Denison University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Denison University 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Denison? 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 Denison ($31,225 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 22.6% lower than at Denison University ($12,700 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $10,598 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at Denison than at Lake Forest College (about $10,598 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Denison University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($39,630 vs. $38,179).

Lake Forest College vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 120 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Denison students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Lake Forest College vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.