Lake Forest College vs. Cedarville University

Comparable Facts

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

Cedarville University is larger than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (6,318 students vs. 1,837 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Cedarville University is in Cedarville, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedarville University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Cedarville University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedarville University are 24.6% lower than at Lake Forest College ($9,574 vs. $12,700).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at Lake Forest College than at Cedarville University (about $19,252 more per year; $56,402 vs. $37,150).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Cedarville University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 78.7% larger than aid received by Cedarville University students ($39,630 vs. $22,177).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Lake Forest College than at Cedarville University (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lake Forest College and Cedarville University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Cedarville University average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 34% at Cedarville University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cedarville University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cedarville University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Cedarville University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 78%).

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