Lake Forest College vs. Hillsdale College

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Hillsdale College is in Hillsdale, Michigan (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hillsdale College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Hillsdale College 8:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Hillsdale College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Hillsdale College? 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 Hillsdale College than Lake Forest College ($23,993 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 6.6% lower than at Hillsdale College ($12,700 vs. $13,600).
• Lake Forest College is 69.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hillsdale College (about $23,213 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.9% higher at Lake Forest College than at Hillsdale College (about $23,213 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Hillsdale College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 62.9% larger than aid received by Hillsdale College students ($39,630 vs. $24,328).

Lake Forest College vs. Hillsdale College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hillsdale College (1410) is 120 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Hillsdale College 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; Hillsdale College 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Hillsdale College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Hillsdale College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Hillsdale College (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 55.5% at Hillsdale College.

Lake Forest College vs. Hillsdale College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

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.