Lake Forest College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Lake Forest College ($27,161 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 4.2% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,165 vs. $12,700).
• Lawrence University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $580 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Lawrence than at Lake Forest College (about $580 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($42,688 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 20 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Lake Forest College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Forest College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Lake Forest College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.