Lake Forest College vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lake Forest College vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Drake? 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 Drake University than Lake Forest College ($29,565 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 2% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,452 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $4,272 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Lake Forest College than at Drake University (about $4,272 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Drake University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($39,630 vs. $35,498).

Lake Forest College vs. Drake Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 60 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Lake Forest College vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Drake University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Drake 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.