Lake Forest College vs. Michigan

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (52,855 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 Michigan Ann Arbor is in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Michigan? 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 Michigan Ann Arbor than Lake Forest College ($17,574 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 17.1% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($12,700 vs. $15,328).
• Lake Forest College is 218% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $38,666 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Michigan than at Lake Forest College (about $4,544 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 57.9% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($39,630 vs. $25,099).

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1450) is 160 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Michigan students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Michigan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Michigan Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Michigan (15.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 47.3% at Michigan.

Lake Forest College vs. Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Michigan? 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 Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $6,897 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($20,103 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($207 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.