Lake Forest College vs. Hamline University

Deciding between Lake Forest College and Hamline University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Lake Forest College
Hamline University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL
  • Hamline University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Lake Forest College Large Suburban
  • Hamline University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lake Forest College 1,837
  • Hamline University 2,565
  • Type
  • Lake Forest College Private 4 Year
  • Hamline University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lake Forest College #277
  • Hamline University #328
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lake Forest College -
  • Hamline University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Lake Forest College Non-profit
  • Hamline University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lake Forest College
  • Hamline University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Hamline University $50,004
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Hamline University $50,004
  • Room & Board
  • Lake Forest College $12,700
  • Hamline University $12,400
  • Average Net Price
  • Lake Forest College $31,225
  • Hamline University $22,390
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lake Forest College $39,630
  • Hamline University $35,851
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lake Forest College 100%
  • Hamline University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lake Forest College 5,356
  • Hamline University 3,475
  • Admitted
  • Lake Forest College 3,043
  • Hamline University 3,045
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lake Forest College 56.8%
  • Hamline University 87.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Lake Forest College 13.6%
  • Hamline University 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lake Forest College 1290
  • Hamline University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lake Forest College 30
  • Hamline University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lake Forest College 3.62
  • Hamline University 3.48
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lake Forest College A-
  • Hamline University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lake Forest College Very High
  • Hamline University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lake Forest College Low
  • Hamline University
  • ACT Range
  • Lake Forest College 28/32
  • Hamline University 19/28
  • SAT Range
  • Lake Forest College 1190/1393
  • Hamline University 1133/1391
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lake Forest College Test optional
  • Hamline University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027
  • Hamline University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lake Forest College 13:1
  • Hamline University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lake Forest College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Hamline University
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Lake Forest College 68%
  • Hamline University 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Lake Forest College $53,800
  • Hamline University $55,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Lake Forest College 78%
  • Hamline University 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Lake Forest College $27,000
  • Hamline University $24,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Lake Forest College $279
  • Hamline University $250
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Lake Forest College 43%
  • Hamline University 34%
  • % Women
  • Lake Forest College 57%
  • Hamline University 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lake Forest College High
  • Hamline University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Lake Forest College No
  • Hamline University No
  • % White
  • Lake Forest College 58%
  • Hamline University 72%
  • % Asian
  • Lake Forest College 5%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % Black
  • Lake Forest College 7%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lake Forest College 17%
  • Hamline University 7%
  • % Native American
  • Lake Forest College 0%
  • Hamline University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lake Forest College 0%
  • Hamline University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lake Forest College 3%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % International
  • Lake Forest College 8%
  • Hamline University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lake Forest College 3%
  • Hamline University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lake Forest College 46%
  • Hamline University 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lake Forest College 34%
  • Hamline University 17%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Lake Forest College Yes
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Lake Forest College No
  • Hamline University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Lake Forest College Yes
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Lake Forest College No
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Lake Forest College No
  • Hamline University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hamline University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,565 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Hamline University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamline University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Hamline University 14:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Hamline University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Hamline University? 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 Hamline University than Lake Forest College ($22,390 vs. $31,225).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamline University are 2.4% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,400 vs. $12,700).
  • Lake Forest College is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamline University (about $6,398 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $50,004.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Lake Forest College than at Hamline University (about $6,398 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $50,004.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Hamline University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Hamline University students ($39,630 vs. $35,851).

Lake Forest College vs. Hamline University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 30 points higher than at Hamline University (1260).
  • Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Hamline University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Hamline University 1133/1391.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Hamline University 19/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Hamline University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Hamline University (3.48).
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (87.6%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 15.9% at Hamline University.

Lake Forest College vs. Hamline University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Lake Forest College is the same as at Hamline University (68% vs. 68%).
  • Graduates from Hamline University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamline University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hamline University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.