Lake Forest College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (31,543 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 Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia than Lake Forest College ($22,169 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 7.3% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,700 vs. $13,700).
• Lake Forest College is 280.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $41,565 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.4% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $20,346 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Missouri Columbia (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 200.2% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($39,630 vs. $13,203).

Lake Forest College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 50 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $400 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $5,117 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($21,883 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($226 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.