Illinois vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, 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 Urbana Champaign is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 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 Urbana Champaign 20:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

Illinois vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Urbana Champaign than Lake Forest College ($13,973 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 12.5% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,700 vs. $14,522).
• Lake Forest College is 252.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $40,398 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $21,278 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 105.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($39,630 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 130 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Lake Forest College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

Illinois vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.