Lake Forest College vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Muhlenberg 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 Lake Forest College than Muhlenberg College ($31,225 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 12.7% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($12,700 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $6,403 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Lake Forest College (about $6,403 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Muhlenberg College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($42,545 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 40 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Lake Forest College vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.