Lake Forest College vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

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

North Central College is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; North Central College 12:1.

Lake Forest College vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or North Central 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 North Central College than Lake Forest College ($23,276 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 13.5% lower than at North Central College ($12,700 vs. $14,688).
• Lake Forest College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Central College (about $10,676 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Lake Forest College than at North Central College (about $10,676 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at North Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 16.4% larger than aid received by North Central College students ($39,630 vs. $34,056).

Lake Forest College vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 110 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at North Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

Lake Forest College vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and North Central 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).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.