Lake Forest College vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lake Forest College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or ISU? 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 Iowa State University than Lake Forest College ($17,779 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 14.9% lower than at Lake Forest College ($10,808 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 422.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $45,615 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.3% higher at Lake Forest College than at Iowa State University (about $27,521 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 267.3% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($39,630 vs. $10,791).

Lake Forest College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Lake Forest College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and ISU? 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 Iowa State University (68% vs. 68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.