Lake Forest College vs. Augustana University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Augustana University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,390 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Augustana University is in Sioux Falls, SD (Midsize City setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Augustana University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Augustana University 12:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Augustana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Augustana University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Augustana University than Lake Forest College ($24,977 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana University are 18.7% lower than at Lake Forest College ($10,326 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Augustana University (about $16,242 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at Lake Forest College than at Augustana University (about $16,242 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Augustana University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Augustana University students ($39,630 vs. $30,445).

Lake Forest College vs. Augustana University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Augustana University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Augustana University and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 30 points higher than at Augustana University (1260).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Augustana University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Augustana University 1150/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Augustana University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Augustana University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Augustana University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Augustana University has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 26.1% at Augustana University.

Lake Forest College vs. Augustana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Augustana University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lake Forest College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Augustana University's (65%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Augustana University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Augustana University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Augustana University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Augustana University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.