About Lake Forest College

Founded in 1857, Lake Forest College. is a Private college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 1,540 full time undergraduate students, and 38 full time graduate students.

The Lake Forest College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 97 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Lake Forest College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate56%
Application Deadline1-Dec
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at LFC are considered Selective, with ,16% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

90% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 62% were in the top quarter, and 33% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Lake Forest College.

8%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
62%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
92%
“I feel extremely safe”
31%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
31%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
62%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
23%
“They keep regular office hours”
77%
“They”re always available”
8%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
54%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
8%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
23%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
54%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
69%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
62%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
92%
“I feel extremely safe”
31%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
31%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
62%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
23%
“They keep regular office hours”
77%
“They”re always available”
8%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
54%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
8%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
23%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
54%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
69%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    58 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    51 Students rated off-campus housing 1.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    61 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    66 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    66 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 71 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    66 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    66 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    66 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

Lake Forest College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Lake Forest College?

14 Students rated Lake Forest College

Isabella - 03/14/2024

Lake Forest College is beautiful! The campus is always clean, open and calming. The students and professors are very kind and always willing to lend a helping hand. The community of lake forest is outstanding. The academics and education is something to look forward to as you move on in your future career.

marc - 08/23/2021

Small school but great professors and people there. Lots of options for studying different majors, internships and offers study abroad programs. Very big sports culture. Can get to the city of Chicago in less than an hour if you want to access big city amenities

Kesey - 05/23/2020

Lake Forest College is a small school about forty-five minutes from Chicago. The school's proximity to the city is one of it's largest draws and allows for students to easily access internships and networking opportunities. The class sizes usually range between twelve and thirty students, with introductory courses typically being larger than electives and advanced courses. The majority of the professors are extremely passionate about teaching and their areas of expertise. The professors are eager to work one-on-one with students and try to form bonds with them. Outside of academics, there are many clubs, sports teams, and other organizations that are active on campus. Lake Forest College is a Division III school, and a large number of students are on sports teams. There are also intramural sports, but they are not well advertised. Greek life is fairly involved on campus, and often hosts parties and philanthropy events that the entirety of the student body is welcome to participate in. Other organizations on campus, such as academic journals and cultural groups, aren't as public with their activities but are definitely active. Though some of these groups are relatively cliquey, by no means does one need to join a group to make friends. Overall, the school is academically strong, provides many career advancement opportunities, and offers many organizations for students to pursue their goals and make friends.

Ileana - 06/07/2019

I think Lake Forest College is a good option for those looking for a small campus. It allows for close connections to be made between professors and students and allows for better recognition in smaller classes. It also allows for students to connect without being overwhelmed by meeting so many new people. It is easy to find people you recognize on campus and make connections.

Lake Forest College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Lake Forest College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Lake Forest College is 56%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell my self to focus on my double major ealier. I regret not being sure or focused on my double major the first year because now I can no longer double major. I would also tell myself to rush sororities my freshman year. Rushing my second year I felt left out and unwanted.

    Read all 63 answers

  3. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is close-minded and does not want to experience diversity; I'm pretty sure Lake Forest is the most diverse school in the nation, and I have learned as much from students as I have from my teachers, if not more. You will be better off if you know what you want, because most of the time, the college can give it to you. If you are not independent and you like conforming, this is not the school for you, though if you like a tight nit group of friends, this is the place for you.

    Read all 16 answers

  4. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I only considered Lake Forest

    Read all 15 answers

  5. Describe the students at your school.

    Each of my classmates have not only a craving for knowledge and learning but they also like to enjoy the free time they recieve.

    Read all 13 answers

  6. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The small population resembles a high school experience with alot of gossip and rumors.

    Read all 13 answers

  7. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The social life is bad-- there nothing to do

    Read all 12 answers

  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    LFC offers a strong academic environment with oppurtunities to research and work closely with professors.

    Read all 11 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    All of the opportunities given to us by both alums and the school. We have amazing study abroad programs and internship opportunities. Since we are right outside of Chicago the opportunities are endless.

    Read all 10 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I most often brag about the small class sizes and my close relationships with my professors.

    Read all 10 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known to live on South Campus and stay far far away from North Campus.

    Read all 8 answers

  12. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who wants an opportunity to explore various career fields in order to fully embrace their final major.

    Read all 8 answers

  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Lake Forest College is an academically, strong liberal arts college with a very diverse international student population. Class sizes are very small which allows a close relationship to the professors in research activities and non-traditional style lectures. Upper classmen are encouraged to pursue filed related internships within the Chicago, Il area and study abroad programs. Lake Forest College provides a culturally and internationally diverse atmosphere where you may build life long friendships.

    Read all 8 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Well first, I have to give credit where it is due. The professors are really great at Lake Forest. I feel as though I was challenged and accomplished many difficult things. On the other hand I felt completely ostracized, alone, and very unhappy. I came to the school with an open mind and it was so small and clique-ish that I felt as though I had no one. I went home everyday, and I moved throughout campus three times, on each of the three campus', to see if I could fit in SOMEWHERE. I began to have a very low self confidence and I felt really depressed. I'm normally a happy, upbeat person, who never has problems making friends. It felt like a ghost town and was very very exclusive. I wish I had a better freshman experience. Also, there were no parties, and no one really talked to one another at night. I would wander around the student center all the time at night alone.

    Read all 6 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    The classes were very small 11-15 people. You develop a relationship with your professors. They challenge you A LOT and its a ton of work. But because they are very good professors its VERY doable. I got straight As and I was writing 10-15 pagers. I learned a ton at Lake Forest and there is a lot of pressure to know what is going on each day. But you can ask the professor one on one any time anything.

    Read all 5 answers

  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    At Lake Forest a lot of people were in sororities and fraternities but they were like small little cliques. Football, soccer, hockey, student gov't were popular They all stuck together and dint talk to anyone else.

    Read all 2 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    z

    Read all 2 answers

  18. What do students complain about most?

    The food

    Read all 1 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Very diverse. Range from Students who like to be part of the school and those who want to enjoy college.

    Read all 1 answers

  20. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Somewhat

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

1,540

Total Undergrad Enrollment

38

Total Grad Students

38%

Out-Of-State

56%

In-State

6%

International

Organizations

50

Student Organizations

2

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

73%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
5%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
16%
% White or Caucasian
57%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Lake Forest College receive some sort of financial aid. 45% were awarded federal grants. While 81% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$44,116

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,000

Books and Supplies

$9,810

Room and Board

54,926

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$16,318
$30 - $48K
$17,478
$48 - $75K
$22,265
$75 - $110K
$25,773
$110K & UP
$31,933

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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