Lake Forest College vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (13,042 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 Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame than Lake Forest College ($29,300 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 29.1% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($12,700 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $8,623 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at Notre Dame than at Lake Forest College (about $8,623 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Notre Dame (100% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($53,971 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 220 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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 Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

Lake Forest College vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.