Lake Forest College vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Lake Forest College vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas ($31,225 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 15.2% lower than at University of St Thomas ($12,700 vs. $14,969).
• Lake Forest College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $2,004 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of St Thomas (about $2,004 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 11.4% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($39,630 vs. $35,587).

Lake Forest College vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 50 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Lake Forest College vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.