Lake Forest, IL · Private University
Is Lake Forest College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$61,825
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$54,202
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,202
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$216,808
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.14x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
70.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,158
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,499
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lake Forest College graduates earn $16,825 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lake Forest College ranked by graduate earnings
30 graduates
52 graduates
21 graduates
41 graduates
19 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lake Forest College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lake Forest College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $72,661) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $26,998) is $45,663/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $72,661 | 1.3x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $64,213 | 1.2x |
| Economics | $62,870 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $56,287 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,601 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $54,722 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $51,029 | 0.9x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $48,587 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $43,380 | 0.8x |
| Social Sciences, Other(1yr data) | $39,054 | 0.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $26,998 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest College | 1.14x | $61,825 | Average ROI |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | 1.21x | $65,607 | Average ROI |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 1.06x | $55,624 | Average ROI |
| Allegheny College | 1.13x | $62,069 | Average ROI |
| Beloit College | 0.91x | $53,260 | Below Average |
| DePauw University | 1.24x | $70,527 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Lake Forest College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $61,825 10 years after starting — $16,825 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.