Lake Forest College vs. Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Washington College in Chestertown, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Washington College is in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Washington College 8:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Washington College? 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 Washington College than Lake Forest College ($29,830 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 30.4% lower than at Washington College ($12,700 vs. $18,250).
• Lake Forest College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $1,076 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Lake Forest College than at Washington College (about $1,076 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Washington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington College students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($43,485 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Washington College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 20 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Washington College 1140/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Washington College 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Washington College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 11.5% at Washington College.

Lake Forest College vs. Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Washington College? 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).

• Washington College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Washington College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.