Lake Forest College
Campus Identity
Lake Forest College is a small private nonprofit university in Lake Forest, IL. Approximately 1,813 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 57% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, just 5 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 26 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Lake Forest College is a small private nonprofit university in Lake Forest, IL. Approximately 1,813 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 57% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, just 5 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 26 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Lake Forest College is a 1,000–4,999, suburban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 26 miles from Wilmot Mountain.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Midwest
Greek Life
Moderate Greek Life
6% frats · 7% sororities
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Suburban setting
Weather
Cold Climate
41°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Lake Forest College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Wilmot Mountain, 26 miles away with 11 lifts and 135 skiable acres. All are within 35 miles of campus.
Wisconsin
Illinois
Illinois
Lake Life Campus
Lake Michigan is 5 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Lake Forest College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Lake Michigan
Lake access within 5.4 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Lake Forest, IL
Lake Forest has a cool climate, with winters averaging 23°F in Jan and summers peaking around 72°F in Jul.
Station: WAUKEGAN · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Lake Forest College in IL earns a composite safety score of 40/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $56,402 |
| Fees | $902 |
| Room & Board | $12,700 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $70,004 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
37 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Forest College located?
Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL. The main campus address is 555 N Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Lake Forest College?
Lake Forest College has an acceptance rate of 57%, making it moderately selective. Out of 5,356 applicants, 3,043 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,813 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Lake Forest College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Lake Forest College scored between 28 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 30. About 10% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Lake Forest College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Lake Forest College charges $56,402/year in tuition. Including room and board ($12,700/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $51,002/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,673/year — what students actually pay. Use Lake Forest College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Lake Forest College have college sports?
Yes — Lake Forest College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Midwest. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Lake Forest College the right fit for me?
Whether Lake Forest College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (57% admit rate), avg net price ($28,673/year after aid), campus culture in Lake Forest, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Lake Forest College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Lake Forest College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Lake Forest, IL
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Midwest
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 41°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 40/100
- Nearest Airport
- Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL (PWK) · 10 mialso ORD (19 mi), ENW (25 mi)
Location
Lake Forest, IL