True College Verdict
B

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · 1,813 undergraduates · 34% receive Pell Grants · admits 57%
Private nonprofitMainly bachelor's degrees

A good choice overall. It ranks 353 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 70.5 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
No
Average net price $24,987 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
Yes
76% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Likely
Graduates owe a typical $26,250 against earnings of $70,470, a ratio of 0.37. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Lake Forest College. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • 76% of students graduate, better than 83% of four-year colleges.
  • Students stay: 90% of first-year students return for a second year, better than 85% of four-year colleges.
  • Strong pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $70,470, higher than 77% of four-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Expensive: the average student pays about $24,987 a year after grants, more than at 71% of four-year colleges.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
76%
Better than 83% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
90%
Better than 85% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$70,470
Better than 77% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$26,250
Better than 47% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$24,987
Better than 29% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$58,902
Before any aid

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Lake Forest College, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.