Lake Forest College vs. Butler

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

Lake Forest College
Butler University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lake Forest College (56.8% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1290 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lake Forest College. Average net price is $31,225 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Lake Forest College 68% vs Butler 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lake Forest College $53,800 vs Butler $68,400 (median).
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Key differences

Lake Forest College Butler University
Acceptance rate
Lake Forest College more selective
Lake Forest College56.8%
Butler85.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lake Forest College higher
Lake Forest College1190-1393
Butler1160-1350
Average net price
Lake Forest College $7,213 less
Lake Forest College$31,225
Butler$38,438
In-state tuition
Butler $8,842 less
Lake Forest College$56,402
Butler$47,560
Out-of-state tuition
Butler $8,842 less
Lake Forest College$56,402
Butler$47,560
Graduation rate
Butler +4 pts
Lake Forest College68%
Butler72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$14,600
Lake Forest College$53,800
Butler$68,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lake Forest College 5,356
  • Butler 9,471
  • Admitted
  • Lake Forest College 3,043
  • Butler 8,058
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lake Forest College 56.8%
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lake Forest College 13.6%
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lake Forest College 1290
  • Butler 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lake Forest College 30
  • Butler 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lake Forest College 3.62
  • Butler 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lake Forest College A-
  • Butler A
  • Admissions standards
  • Lake Forest College Very High
  • Butler Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Lake Forest College Low
  • Butler
  • SAT range
  • Lake Forest College 1190-1393
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • ACT range
  • Lake Forest College 28-32
  • Butler 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Lake Forest College Test optional
  • Butler Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Butler $47,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lake Forest College $56,402
  • Butler $47,560
  • Room & board
  • Lake Forest College $12,700
  • Butler $16,430
  • Average net price
  • Lake Forest College $31,225
  • Butler $38,438
  • Average grant aid
  • Lake Forest College $39,630
  • Butler $27,790
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lake Forest College 100%
  • Butler 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lake Forest College 68%
  • Butler 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lake Forest College $53,800
  • Butler $68,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lake Forest College 78%
  • Butler 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lake Forest College $27,000
  • Butler $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lake Forest College $279
  • Butler $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lake Forest College 13:1
  • Butler 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lake Forest College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Setting
  • Lake Forest College Large Suburban
  • Butler Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lake Forest College 1,837
  • Butler 5,746
  • Type
  • Lake Forest College Private 4 Year
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lake Forest College #277
  • Butler #209

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Butler University in Indianapolis, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Butler University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 1,837 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Butler University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
  • Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Butler University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 22.7% lower than at Butler University ($12,700 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Lake Forest College than at Butler University (about $8,842 more per year; $56,402 vs. $47,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($39,630 vs. $27,790).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lake Forest College than at Butler (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lake Forest College and Butler.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Lake Forest College (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 12.9% at Butler.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Butler University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Butler University and Lake Forest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation (84% 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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