Lake Forest College vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($31,225 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 24.6% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,700 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 20.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $11,704 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at Grinnell than at Lake Forest College (about $11,704 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($49,077 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 190 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Lake Forest College vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.