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Lake Forest College

#375 in US ranking Lake Forest, IL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Lake Forest College award
Lake Forest College award

Cost

Cost / year
$70,968
Tuition & fees
$58,902
Avg. aid
$49,998
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
57%
SAT range
1190–1393
ACT range
28–32

Outcomes

Graduation rate
78%
Median salary
$45,369
1 yr after graduation

What does Lake Forest College offer in terms of athletics?

Lake Forest College's Foresters compete in NCAA Division III, principally in the Midwest Conference. That classification matters for prospective athletes: Division III institutions do not award athletics scholarships, although students may qualify for other types of aid.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as football, basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming and diving, and track and field; ice hockey has its own conference arrangements. Club, intramural, and recreational activities serve different purposes from varsity competition and may offer ways to participate without joining a recruited team. Applicants interested in a specific sport should confirm its current roster, competition level, and participation requirements rather than assuming every activity listed on campus is a varsity program.

What student groups and Associations are available at Lake Forest College?

Lake Forest College students can participate in recognized organizations spanning student governance, academic interests, culture, service, media, and the arts. These groups offer a way to find peers and organize activities outside class, but their membership and meeting schedules can change from year to year.

Documented student-media opportunities include The Stentor, the campus newspaper, and student radio station WMXM. Theater and choral participation provide additional outlets for students interested in performance. Prospective students seeking a particular cultural, professional, religious, or recreational organization should check the current student-organization directory; a broad category of campus activity does not mean a specific club is active every term.

Who studies at Lake Forest College?

Lake Forest College enrolled about 1,837 students in the reported institutional total, making it a relatively small college. The entering figures included 415 first-time degree-seeking students and 90 transfer-in students, so transfers are a visible part of the intake even though first-time students form the larger group.

The reported geographic mix was approximately 46% Illinois residents, 34% students from other U.S. states, and 21% students from other countries; rounded percentages need not sum exactly to 100. Most students were in traditional college-age ranges, although older students were also enrolled. These figures describe enrollment, not the interests or experiences of any demographic group. Applicants looking for a particular peer community may find the college's modest overall size more informative than a single demographic percentage.

How does student life look like at Lake Forest College?

Everyday life at Lake Forest College combines a largely residential campus with students who commute. About 70% of students reportedly live on campus, while roughly 29% commute, so evening programming and access to transportation may affect how differently students experience the same college.

Orientation, student activities, recreation, and campus gathering spaces provide ways to meet people beyond classes. The college also reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. Students should check current appointment procedures, hours, and any referral arrangements when evaluating support services. For commuters and students balancing a job, the timing of activities can matter as much as the number of events offered.

What libraries are available to students at Lake Forest College?

The Donnelley and Lee Library is a central academic resource at Lake Forest College. Students can use library study space, research materials, and assistance locating sources for coursework rather than relying only on materials assigned in class.

Reported services include reservable study rooms and study areas with extended, including overnight, access. Library collections also extend beyond physical shelves through online journals and databases; access and hours can vary by resource and academic term. Students undertaking substantial research should check the library's current guidance on research consultations, borrowing from other libraries, and accessing licensed materials off campus.

Lake Forest College Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

1837

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

383

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

121 full time, 118 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Lake Forest College Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 1,814
Graduate: 23

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 1,811
Part-time: 26

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 205
Men: 178

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 333
Black or African American: 52
White: 797
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1
Asian: 114
Two or more races: 74
Unknown: 53

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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