Lake Forest College vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio Northern University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (3,140 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Lake Forest College vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than Lake Forest College ($25,941 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 13% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($12,700 vs. $14,604).
• Lake Forest College is 41.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $16,602 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.7% higher at Lake Forest College than at Ohio Northern University (about $16,602 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 43.1% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($39,630 vs. $27,696).

Lake Forest College vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is the same as at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Lake Forest College vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio Northern University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ohio Northern University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.