Lake Forest College vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Wheaton 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 Lake Forest College than Wheaton College ($31,225 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 2.4% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,700 vs. $13,010).
• Lake Forest College is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $10,856 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Lake Forest College than at Wheaton College (about $10,856 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 41.6% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($39,630 vs. $27,987).

Lake Forest College vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 80 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Wheaton College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

Lake Forest College vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.