Academic Comparison between UIUC and Lake Forest

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Lake Forest College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UIUC is a four-year, public school located in Champaign, IL and Lake Forest is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lake Forest, 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.

  • UIUC is a public and Lake Forest is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lake Forest has more expensive tuition & fees ($56,402) than UIUC ($40,096).
  • It is harder to admit to UIUC than Lake Forest.
  • UIUC has a higher submitted SAT score (1,440) than Lake Forest (1,320).
  • UIUC has higher submitted ACT score (32) than Lake Forest (30).
  • UIUC has more students with 59,238 students while Lake Forest has 1,837 students.
  • Lake Forest has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UIUC's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UIUC has more full-time faculties with 2,498 faculties while Lake Forest has 112 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaignvs.Lake Forest College
Champaign, IllinoisLocationLake Forest, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$18,267
Out-Of-State$40,096
2025 Tuition & Fees$56,402
55%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$17,924Average Amount of Financial Aid$49,998
42.37 %Acceptance Rates56.81 %
28.83 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.64 %
1,440SAT Score1,320
32ACT Score30
85 %Graduation Rate78 %
-Transfer-out Rate16 %
95 %Retention Rate90 %
59,238Student Population1,837
2,498Number of Faculties112
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services