Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Lake Forest, Illinois |
| Online | lakeforest.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Lake Forest College is situated in the suburban community of Lake Forest, Illinois, approximately 30 miles north of Chicago along Lake Michigan. The 107-acre wooded campus features both historic and modern buildings, with many structures exhibiting Classical Revival architecture dating to the college's founding in 1857. A private liberal arts institution, Lake Forest maintains selective admission standards and offers programs across more than 40 academic majors, with notable strengths in business, economics, and environmental studies. The residential campus houses most students in its residence halls and provides direct access to Chicago via the nearby Metra rail station. Lake Forest competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Foresters, participating in the Midwest Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Lake Forest College is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Lake Forest College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#267 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#199 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#10 in Best Private Colleges in Illinois
#164 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1153/1340 |
| ACT | 26/31 |
| GPA | 3.62 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,140 |
| Other Fees | $902 |
| Room and Board | $11,898 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,860 |
| Total One Year Cost | $68,800 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 27% |
| Business | 9% |
| Communication | 9% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
| Foreign Languages | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Lake Forest College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=146481 IPEDS survey data for Lake Forest College.
Current students may use the Lake Forest College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024