Lake Forest College vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College than Lake Forest College ($26,956 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 1.2% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,549 vs. $12,700).
• Kalamazoo College is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $4,648 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Lake Forest College (about $4,648 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Kalamazoo College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($47,252 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 10 points higher than at Kalamazoo College (1280).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

Lake Forest College vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Kalamazoo 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have a $550 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.