Lake Forest College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State University than Lake Forest College ($23,657 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 1.1% lower than at Lake Forest College ($12,564 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 242.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $39,944 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at Michigan State University (about $12,560 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 306.5% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($39,630 vs. $9,750).

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Michigan State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.