Lake Forest College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Dakota Wesleyan 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 Dakota Wesleyan University than Lake Forest College ($22,990 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 36.2% lower than at Lake Forest College ($8,100 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 66.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $22,612 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at Lake Forest College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $22,612 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 89.5% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($39,630 vs. $20,910).

Lake Forest College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Dakota Wesleyan 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 Dakota Wesleyan University and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 100 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Lake Forest College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Dakota Wesleyan 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 Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have a $467 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($26,533 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.