Lake Forest College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Lake Forest College ($21,765 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 1.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,700 vs. $12,920).
• Lake Forest College is 399.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $45,119 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Iowa (about $23,031 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 301.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($39,630 vs. $9,865).

Lake Forest College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 60 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Lake Forest College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.