Lake Forest College vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern University than Lake Forest College ($26,830 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 39.9% lower than at Northwestern University ($12,700 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $11,920 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at Northwestern than at Lake Forest College (about $11,920 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 62.6% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($64,429 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 250 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Lake Forest College vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.