Lake Forest College vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,200 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 10.6% lower than at Lake Forest College ($11,360 vs. $12,700).
• Out-of-state tuition is 206% higher at Lake Forest College than at Houghton University (about $37,972 more per year; $56,402 vs. $18,430).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Houghton University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 300.2% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($39,630 vs. $9,902).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lake Forest College than at Houghton University (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lake Forest College and Houghton University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Lake Forest College average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Houghton University (3.25).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 77%).

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