Lake Forest College vs. Marquette University

Comparable Facts

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

Marquette University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Marquette University is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marquette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Marquette University 14:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Marquette University? 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 Lake Forest College than Marquette University ($31,225 vs. $34,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 23% lower than at Marquette University ($12,700 vs. $16,490).
• Lake Forest College is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marquette University (about $5,232 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Lake Forest College than at Marquette University (about $5,232 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Marquette University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 20.1% larger than aid received by Marquette University students ($39,630 vs. $32,996).

Lake Forest College vs. Marquette University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 10 points higher than at Marquette University (1280).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Marquette University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Marquette University 1200/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Marquette University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Marquette University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Marquette University Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Marquette University (3.56).
• Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 14.1% at Marquette University.

Lake Forest College vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Marquette University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Marquette University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,500 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marquette University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marquette University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Marquette University 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.