Lake Forest College vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than Lake Forest College ($14,235 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 10.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,700 vs. $14,124).
• Lake Forest College is 386.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $44,799 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $14,299 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 123.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($39,630 vs. $17,741).

Lake Forest College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 160 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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 Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Lake Forest College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin 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.