Lake Forest College vs. Holy Cross College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Holy Cross College is in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Holy Cross College 13:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Holy Cross College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College than Lake Forest College ($22,421 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Lake Forest College and Holy Cross College ($12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 54.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $19,802 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at Lake Forest College than at Holy Cross College (about $19,802 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 39.5% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($39,630 vs. $28,416).

Lake Forest College vs. Holy Cross College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 150 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Holy Cross College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Holy Cross College 980/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Holy Cross College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Holy Cross College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 19.5% at Holy Cross College.

Lake Forest College vs. Holy Cross College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Holy Cross 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).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 64%)

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.