Lake Forest College vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Sarah Lawrence based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Forest College 13:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Lake Forest College vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest College or Sarah Lawrence? 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 Lake Forest College than Sarah Lawrence ($31,225 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 31.1% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($12,700 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Forest College (about $10,460 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Lake Forest College (about $10,460 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $56,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Sarah Lawrence College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 2% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($39,630 vs. $38,838).

Lake Forest College vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest College or Sarah Lawrence? 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 Sarah Lawrence and Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 50 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sarah Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Sarah Lawrence - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Lake Forest College vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest College and Sarah Lawrence? 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).

• Sarah Lawrence College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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.