Lake Forest College
#4 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 74% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,825 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $28,673 F
- 67% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 57% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Biology Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,442,041.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 52% more than the national college median.
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A 74% graduation rate — 30% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lake Forest College Matters
Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,813
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Lake Forest College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 57% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1190–1393. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,673 a year after grants and scholarships — 67% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,825 ten years after enrolling — 52% above the typical college, against $26,158 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 35% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Lake Forest College has a graduation rate of 74%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This statistic reflects a supportive academic environment and a commitment to student success. The college's acceptance rate stands at 57%, allowing for a diverse range of applicants to pursue their educational goals.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data reveals that while specific mobility metrics are not available for Lake Forest College, the institution’s focus on programs such as Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology suggests pathways for upward mobility. Graduates earn a median salary of $61,825 ten years after enrollment, indicating strong potential for financial stability in the job market.
The net price of attendance is $28,673, with a median debt of $26,158, making it essential for prospective students to consider financial aid options. About 32% of students receive Pell Grants, highlighting the college's accessibility to low-income students. Lake Forest College is a good fit for students interested in a personalized education with dedicated faculty support, particularly in the social sciences and health-related fields.
Rankings
- #4 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in Illinois
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- #10 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #13 Best Colleges in Illinois
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
- #14 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Lake Forest College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Forest College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lake Forest College, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,343. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Retention Rate
- 90%
- SAT Average
- 1343
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1190–1393
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,044
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 4,665
- Admitted
- 2,786
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Lake Forest College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds.
- Submitted SAT
- 16%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 10%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 43.7%
- binding round
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 26% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Forest College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Forest College is $56,402, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,673. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,605 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,158 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $56,402
- Out-of-State
- $56,402
- Avg Net Price
- $28,673
- Median Debt
- $26,158
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 67%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,605
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,210
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,481
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,341
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lake Forest College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lake Forest College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Forest College earn a median of $61,825, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,324
- 8 Years
- $58,610
- 10 Years
- $61,825
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (285)
- 69%
- 100% (285)
- 69%
- 100% (285)
- 69%
- 100% (285)
- 69%
How Lake Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lake Forest College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lake Forest College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,673/year ($114,692 total). Graduates earn $61,825 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,556,733 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,442,041 (13.6× your investment). The median debt is $26,158, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 74% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $114,692
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,556,733
- Net Return
- $1,442,041
- ROI Multiple
- 13.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,673
- Median Debt
- $26,158
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lake Forest College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Forest College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.79%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 47.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.79%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 47.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $157,603
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,000,836
- Investment Income
- $-5,741,631
Top Programs
The fields Lake Forest College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $52,837 early-career
- Social Sciences 15% $54,760 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 14% $42,233 early-career
- Psychology 11% $35,715 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Communications 5% $48,724 early-career
- Physical Sciences 4%
- English & Literature 3% $28,287 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lake Forest College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Forest College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lake Forest College, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,343. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Forest College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Forest College is $56,402, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,673. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,605 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,158 in federal student loans.
Is Lake Forest College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Forest College earn a median of $61,825, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lake Forest College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Forest College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.79%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 47.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lake Forest College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Forest College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 14% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Lake Forest College offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Lake Forest College offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 44%, about 0.8 times the overall 57% acceptance rate. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Lake Forest College is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Lake Forest College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 26% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Lake Forest College (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lake Forest College.
- Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PA · Close peer71% grad $61,860 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · Close peer74% grad $67,725 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY · Close peer79% grad $67,258 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer66% grad $59,317 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwood UniversityMidland, MI · Close peer62% grad $63,075 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Hobart William Smith CollegesGeneva, NY · Close peer75% grad $68,831 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lake Forest College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Forest College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 14% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note