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    Lake Forest College

    lakeforest.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Lake Forest, Illinois. There are currently 1,724 undergraduates at Lake Forest and the school’s acceptance rate is 60%. The tuition at Lake Forest is $52,902.

    Lake Forest College
    21 Suburb
    Suburban schools are a great option for students who want to take advantage of the amenities of the city while escaping the hustle and bustle. At a suburban school you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the city, but you will maintain a strong campus culture and remain grounded in your college’s community.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $68,800

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $40,896

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $27,904

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $52,902
    Books & Supplies
    $1,140
    Room & Board
    $11,898
    Other
    $2,860

    Estimated Cost:

    $68,800

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Lake Forest is $68,800. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Lake Forest would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Lake Forest College Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Lake Forest need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Lake Forest is 001706 and the CSS Profile Code is 1392.


    It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Using State Grants at Lake Forest

    Illinois residents considering Lake Forest should be sure to look into the MAP program. In-state students who demonstrate financial need can qualify for MAP grant money from the state as long as the program is on the list of approved colleges. The program can pay up to $8,400 per year towards your education. Approved schools include both public and private options.

    Pell Grants at Lake Forest College

    33% of students at Lake Forest College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Lake Forest College.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Lake Forest students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Admissions

    60%

    Admission Rate

    29

    Average ACT

    Does Lake Forest College charge an application fee?

    Good news! Lake Forest College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Lake Forest College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.

    Is Lake Forest test-optional?

    Lake Forest College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    November
    1

    Early Decision I

    January
    15

    Early Decision II

    February
    15

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Lake Forest?

    Students must apply by February 15 to enroll at Lake Forest during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Lake Forest students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Lake Forest?

    Applying to Lake Forest with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 78%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    19%

    19% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    18%

    18% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    16%

    16% of graduates

    Psychology

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    6%

    6% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Education

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 1,724

    Pell Grant 35%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 3%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%

    Percent Male / Female 41% / 59%

    Ethnic Diversity at Lake Forest

    47% White

    20% Hispanic

    15% International / Non-Citizen

    6% Asian / Pacific Islander

    3% Unknown

    3% Black

    3% Multiracial

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $61,825

    Median Debt $26,158

    Debt 10 years after graduation $277

    Graduation Rate 78%

    What is the graduation rate at Lake Forest College?

    78% of students who start at Lake Forest College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 20% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Lake Forest College go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Lake Forest College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $61,825. This is $11,434 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Lake Forest take out in loans?

    Graduates of Lake Forest have to take out a median of $26,158 in federal student loans. This is $12,658 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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