Lake Forest College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Bard College 9:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Bard College? 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 Bard College than Lake Forest College ($29,320 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 32.6% lower than at Bard College ($12,700 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $10,034 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Bard College than at Lake Forest College (about $10,034 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Lake Forest College students ($55,235 vs. $39,630).

Lake Forest College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Bard College? 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 Bard College and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 70 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Bard College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Lake Forest College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Bard College? 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).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.