Lake Forest College vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

Lake Forest College vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or IU? 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 Indiana University Bloomington than Lake Forest College ($17,270 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 9.2% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($12,700 vs. $13,984).
• Lake Forest College is 364.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $44,258 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $14,511 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $41,891.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Indiana University Bloomington (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 277.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($39,630 vs. $10,487).

Lake Forest College vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is the same as at IU (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at IU (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 18.2% at IU.

Lake Forest College vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.