Lake Forest College vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Sewanee? 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 Lake Forest College than Sewanee ($31,225 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 20.8% lower than at The University of the South ($12,700 vs. $16,028).
• Lake Forest College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $282 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Lake Forest College than at The University of the South (about $282 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 6.6% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($39,630 vs. $37,171).

Lake Forest College vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 40 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Lake Forest College vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.