Westmont College vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Forest College is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

Westmont College vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College or Lake Forest College? 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 Westmont College ($31,225 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 25.1% lower than at Westmont College ($12,700 vs. $16,960).
• Lake Forest College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $2,818 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Lake Forest College than at Westmont College (about $2,818 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College as at Lake Forest College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($39,630 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 60 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

Westmont College vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Lake Forest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $53,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $1,877 lower median loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates ($25,123 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Westmont College 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.