UIC vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

UIC vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 University of Illinois Chicago than Lake Forest College ($10,852 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 23% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($12,700 vs. $16,500).
• Lake Forest College is 293.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $42,064 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $26,518 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 136.5% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($39,630 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 50 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UIC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

UIC vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.