C of I vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

C of I vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I or Lake Forest 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 The College of Idaho than Lake Forest College ($21,686 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 0.6% lower than at The College of Idaho ($12,700 vs. $12,773).
• Lake Forest College is 49% more expensive for in-state tuition than C of I (about $18,557 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Lake Forest College than at The College of Idaho (about $18,557 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 36.1% larger than aid received by The College of Idaho students ($39,630 vs. $29,110).

C of I vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I or Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College and C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 110 points higher than at C of I (1180).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at C of I).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027; Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

C of I vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I and Lake Forest 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).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than The College of Idaho's (63%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than C of I graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Idaho graduates have a $1,005 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($25,995 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, C of I graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former C of I students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.