Lake Forest College vs. University of Puget Sound

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Puget Sound is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (1,864 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 Puget Sound is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Puget Sound is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Puget Sound 10:1.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound ($31,225 vs. $43,188).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 23% lower than at University of Puget Sound ($12,700 vs. $16,498).
• University of Puget Sound is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $6,496 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at University of Puget Sound than at Lake Forest College (about $6,496 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Puget Sound (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 12.7% larger than aid received by University of Puget Sound students ($39,630 vs. $35,179).

Lake Forest College vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or University of Puget Sound? 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 Puget Sound and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 10 points higher than at University of Puget Sound (1280).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at University of Puget Sound).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; University of Puget Sound 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Puget Sound 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; University of Puget Sound - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at University of Puget Sound (3.56).
• University of Puget Sound has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 11.4% at University of Puget Sound.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and University of Puget Sound? 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 Puget Sound's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Puget Sound and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Puget Sound and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.