Lake Forest College vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

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

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (61,443 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 State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Ohio State? 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 State University Main Campus than Lake Forest College ($19,783 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 13.8% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($12,700 vs. $14,738).
• Lake Forest College is 325.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $43,158 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.9% higher at Lake Forest College than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $16,380 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Ohio State University Main Campus (100% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 201.3% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($39,630 vs. $13,151).

Lake Forest College vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 110 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Ohio State (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

Lake Forest College vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.