Academic Comparison between Lake Forest and GovState

Lake Forest College and Governors State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Lake Forest is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lake Forest, IL and GovState is a four-year, public school located in University Park, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Lake Forest is a private (not-for-profit) and GovState is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lake Forest has more expensive tuition & fees ($56,402) than GovState ($12,004).
  • It is harder to admit to GovState than Lake Forest.
  • GovState has more students with 4,397 students while Lake Forest has 1,837 students.
  • GovState has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Lake Forest's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • GovState has more full-time faculties with 240 faculties while Lake Forest has 112 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Lake Forest GovState
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Lake Forest Collegevs.Governors State University
Lake Forest, IllinoisLocationUniversity Park, Illinois
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$56,4022025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,004
Out-Of-State$12,004
99%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$49,998Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,149
56.81 %Acceptance Rates48.27 %
13.64 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.82 %
1,320SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
78 %Graduation Rate22 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate39 %
90 %Retention Rate56 %
1,837Student Population4,397
112Number of Faculties240
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare