Lake Forest College vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Lake Forest College or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lake Forest College or Northwest University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Lake Forest College vs. Northwest University comparison
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Lake Forest College Northwest University
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Overview

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Location Lake Forest, IL Kirkland, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,753 1,014
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #267 #360
Religious Affiliation - Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lakeforest.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $34,500
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $34,500
Room & Board $11,898 $10,140
Avg Net Price $27,839 $23,722
Avg Grant Aid $37,907 $22,486
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,665 383
Admitted 2,786 361
Acceptance Rate 59.7% 94.3%
Enrolled % 16% 43.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31 22/30
SAT Range 1153/1340 1050/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Graduation Rate 68% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,800 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Lake Forest College Northwest University
% Men 41% 35%
% Women 59% 65%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 69%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 17% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Lake Forest College Northwest University
% In-State 48% 79%
% Out-of-State 52% 18%

Campus

Lake Forest College Northwest University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Lake Forest College is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (1,753 students vs. 1,014 students)

Lake Forest College vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Northwest University?

  • Lake Forest College is 50.7% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($52,000.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.7% higher at Lake Forest College than Northwest University ($52,000.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than Lake Forest College ($23,722 vs. $27,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 17.3% lower than costs at Lake Forest College ($10,140 vs. $11,898)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Lake Forest College as Northwest University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 68.6% larger than aid received Northwest University ($37,907 vs. $22,486)

Lake Forest College vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Northwest University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwest University or Lake Forest College .

  • Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Lake Forest College (59.7%)

Lake Forest College vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lake Forest College or Northwest University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwest University and Lake Forest College.

  • The graduation rate at Lake Forest College is higher than Northwest University (68% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Lake Forest College earn on average $12,400 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($53,800 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $5,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates. ($21,532 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Lake Forest College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/