IWU vs. Lake Forest College

Illinois Wesleyan University and Lake Forest College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Lake Forest College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 56.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: IWU. Average net price is $28,644 vs $31,225 at Lake Forest College.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Lake Forest College 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Lake Forest College $53,800 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Lake Forest College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Lake Forest College56.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lake Forest College higher
IWU1120-1340
Lake Forest College1190-1393
Average net price
IWU $2,581 less
IWU$28,644
Lake Forest College$31,225
In-state tuition
Lake Forest College $1,302 less
IWU$57,704
Lake Forest College$56,402
Out-of-state tuition
Lake Forest College $1,302 less
IWU$57,704
Lake Forest College$56,402
Graduation rate
IWU +14 pts
IWU82%
Lake Forest College68%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$6,700
IWU$60,500
Lake Forest College$53,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Lake Forest College 5,356
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Lake Forest College 3,043
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Lake Forest College 56.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Lake Forest College 13.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Lake Forest College 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Lake Forest College 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Lake Forest College 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Lake Forest College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Lake Forest College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Lake Forest College Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Lake Forest College 1190-1393
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Lake Forest College 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Lake Forest College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Lake Forest College $12,700
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Lake Forest College $31,225
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Lake Forest College $39,630
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Lake Forest College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Lake Forest College 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Lake Forest College $53,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Lake Forest College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Lake Forest College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Lake Forest College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Lake Forest College 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Lake Forest College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Lake Forest College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Lake Forest College 1,837
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Lake Forest College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Lake Forest College #277

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Lake Forest College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,700 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at IWU than at Lake Forest College (about $1,302 more per year; $57,704 vs. $56,402).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($42,181 vs. $39,630).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Lake Forest College than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Lake Forest College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Lake Forest College (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Forest College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Lake Forest College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 78%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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