Lake Forest College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Lake Forest College
Set near the Lake Michigan shoreline, Lake Forest College pairs a classic liberal-arts education with practical, hands-on learning. Students find strong footing in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences, backed by close faculty mentorship and plenty of research and writing. The campus brings together labs, studios, a well-used library, and athletic facilities around leafy quads, with advising, tutoring, counseling, and career services woven into daily life.
Campus culture has a friendly Midwestern vibe that nudges you to stretch yourself. Try new clubs, play intramurals, catch a performance, or walk the lakefront when you need to reset. Career preparation leans on project work and quick access to Chicago, where internships and alumni connections link to companies, nonprofits, and cultural institutions. The surrounding North Shore community adds small town calm, local shops, and nature preserves. It's known for a blend that feels rare today quiet campus, big city reach.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Lake Forest College offers 35 degree programs across 18 major academic fields, graduating approximately 553 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (2 programs, 86 graduates), Social Sciences (4 programs, 84 graduates), Biological Sciences (3 programs, 80 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 48 graduates) and Communication (1 programs, 31 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (2 programs, 86 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Finance, General | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 84 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1301 |
| International Relations | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 80 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0210 |
Psychology (1 programs, 48 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Communication (1 programs, 31 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
Arts (4 programs, 28 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Art History and Conservation | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Theatre Arts | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 25 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0199 |
English (1 programs, 23 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Natural Resources (1 programs, 21 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
Education (2 programs, 20 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Music Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Lake Forest College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Lake Forest College
How much does it cost to attend Lake Forest College?
The annual tuition at Lake Forest College is $54,202 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $71,350 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,480 and books and supplies $1,350.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Lake Forest College offer?
Lake Forest College offers 35 academic programs across 18 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (2 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Lake Forest College?
Lake Forest College has an 59.4% acceptance rate and a 14.9% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 4,811
- Students admitted: 2,858
- Students enrolled: 425
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Lake Forest College?
Lake Forest College provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $38,424 and average loans of $6,710.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,162
- State/Local grants: $7,066
- Institutional grants: $34,264
- Federal loans: $5,544
The university supports 445 students with grants and 330 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Lake Forest College graduates?
Lake Forest College graduates earn a median salary of $51,324 after 6 years and $61,825 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $41,213 (25th percentile) to $88,777 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $99,500 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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