Academic Comparison between Lake Forest and Northeastern Illinois

Lake Forest College and Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois is a four-year, public school located in Chicago, 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 Northeastern Illinois is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lake Forest has more expensive tuition & fees ($56,402) than Northeastern Illinois ($22,726).
  • It is harder to admit to Lake Forest than Northeastern Illinois.
  • Northeastern Illinois has more students with 5,734 students while Lake Forest has 1,837 students.
  • Northeastern Illinois has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Lake Forest's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Northeastern Illinois has more full-time faculties with 250 faculties while Lake Forest has 112 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Lake Forest Collegevs.Northeastern Illinois University
Lake Forest, IllinoisLocationChicago, Illinois
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$56,4022025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,383
Out-Of-State$22,726
99%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$49,998Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,449
56.81 %Acceptance Rates74.60 %
13.64 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.49 %
1,320SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
78 %Graduation Rate22 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate-
90 %Retention Rate52 %
1,837Student Population5,734
112Number of Faculties250
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare