Lake Forest College vs. NKU

Should I go to Lake Forest College or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lake Forest College or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kentucky University of Toledo DePaul Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Augustana Louisville BGSU
Lake Forest College vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Lake Forest College Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Lake Forest College Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Lake Forest College NKU
Location Lake Forest, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,753 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #267 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lakeforest.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lake Forest College NKU
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $20,464
Room & Board $11,898 $11,248
Avg Net Price $27,839 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $37,907 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Lake Forest College NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,665 6,905
Admitted 2,786 5,939
Acceptance Rate 59.7% 86%
Enrolled % 16% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31 19/25
SAT Range 1153/1340 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Lake Forest College NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Lake Forest College NKU
Graduation Rate 68% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,800 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $279 $257

Diversity

Lake Forest College NKU
% Men 41% 36%
% Women 59% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 82%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 17% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 8% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Lake Forest College NKU
% In-State 48% 66%
% Out-of-State 52% 26%

Campus

Lake Forest College NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,753 students)

Lake Forest College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or NKU?

  • Lake Forest College is 409.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($52,000.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 154.1% higher at Lake Forest College than Northern Kentucky University ($52,000.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Lake Forest College ($7,259 vs. $27,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 5.8% lower than costs at Lake Forest College ($11,248 vs. $11,898)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Lake Forest College as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 236.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($37,907 vs. $11,275)

Lake Forest College vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Lake Forest College .

  • Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Lake Forest College (59.7%)

Lake Forest College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lake Forest College or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and Lake Forest College.

  • The graduation rate at Lake Forest College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (68% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Lake Forest College earn on average $14,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($53,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Lake Forest College graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/