Lake Forest College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (11,746 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 Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater than Lake Forest College ($12,709 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 36.3% lower than at Lake Forest College ($8,090 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 554.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $47,786 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 201.4% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $37,686 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 597.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($39,630 vs. $5,685).

Lake Forest College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Lake Forest College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates have a $2,029 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($24,971 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.