Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lake Forest, Illinois
59.4% Acceptance Rate
Lake Forest College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
59.4%Acceptance Rate
3.62Avg GPA
1309Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$68,191Annual Cost
$61,825Grad Salary
35.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
59.4%
Avg GPA
3.62
Avg SAT
1309
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1170–1365
ACT Middle 50%
28–31
Need-Based Aid
35.2% receive Pell
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857 on Chicago's North Shore, is a top-ranked liberal arts college with strengths in business, neuroscience, and environmental studies. The college's location provides exceptional access to Chicago internships.
The 107-acre wooded campus features the state-of-the-art Lillard Science Center, the Sonnenschein and Albright art galleries, and a biological field station on Lake Michigan. Its distinctive 'First-Year Studies' program fosters intellectual community.
Lake Forest College Acceptance Rate
Lake Forest College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 59.4% each year.
What Lake Forest College Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 59.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.17
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lake Forest College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Lake Forest College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 80 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 20
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lake Forest College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lake Forest College is 3.62. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.32 and 3.62? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.82–4.02.Lake Forest College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.22 – 3.41
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.21
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional; applicants who don't submit scores must complete an interview with their admission counselor.
- Richter Scholar Program offers paid, tuition-free summer research immediately after admission for select first-years.
- Subject-specific scholarships (Carnegie English Essay Contest, Jensen Physics Scholarship) available to admitted students in those fields.
- Forester Flagship Program can cover 100% of tuition for qualified in-state first-year and transfer students.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lake Forest College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lake Forest College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lake Forest College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Lake Forest College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Lake Forest College Without SAT or ACT?
Lake Forest College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lake Forest College Average SAT Score: 1309
Admitted students at Lake Forest College average a 1309 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1309 — Competitive
A 1309 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1365 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lake Forest College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1170? A retake is worth it at Lake Forest College. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 630 | 580 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 638 | 590 | 685 |
| SAT Composite | 1309 | 1170 | 1365 |
A score under 1170 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1365+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Lake Forest College with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Lake Forest College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Lake Forest College ACT Requirements
Lake Forest College's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
Lake Forest College's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 25 | 28 |
| ACT English | 31 | 28 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 31 |
Can I get into Lake Forest College with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Lake Forest College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Lake Forest College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lake Forest College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Lake Forest College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
If applying test-optional, schedule your admission counselor interview early
Lake Forest requires an interview for applicants who don't submit SAT/ACT scores - book this as soon as you decide to go test-optional rather than waiting, since it's a required step, not a suggestion.
Apply to the Richter Scholar Program as an incoming first-year if research interests you
This program funds a 3.5-week or longer independent research project with faculty mentorship immediately after admission - a genuine differentiator worth mentioning by name if undergraduate research is part of why you're applying.
Declare interest in English or Physics explicitly if either is your intended major
Admitted students entering those fields can compete for the Carnegie English Essay Contest ($2,500) or Jensen Physics Scholarship ($3,000?$8,000) - these require you to have already committed to the field, so decide early if you want to be eligible.
Illinois residents should ask about the Forester Flagship Program specifically
This program can cover 100% of tuition in grants and scholarships for qualified in-state students - worth a direct conversation with your admissions counselor about eligibility criteria rather than assuming standard merit aid is your only option.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes skip the interview requirement when applying test-optional, not realizing it's mandatory rather than optional - an incomplete test-optional application without the interview can stall your file.
Lake Forest College Profile
Full Name
Lake Forest College
City
Lake Forest
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60045-2338
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Lake Forest College Degree Worth It?
Whether Lake Forest College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $84,700, and graduates see a 2.78% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Lake Forest College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $68,191/year at Lake Forest College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Lake Forest College, 35.2% receive a Pell Grant and 70.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Lake Forest College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Lake Forest College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Lake Forest College graduates report a median income of $61,825, about 52% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lake Forest College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| Mercer University | Macon, GA | 1280 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lake Forest College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lake Forest College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Lake Forest College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Forest College Admissions
Lake Forest College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $61,825/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Lake Forest College runs high, at roughly $68,191+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
35.2% of Lake Forest College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Lake Forest College's acceptance rate is 59.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lake Forest College students is 3.62, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.32 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lake Forest College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.22 or below makes admission tougher at Lake Forest College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lake Forest College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1309, and within the 1170–1365 range, keeps you competitive.
Lake Forest College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Lake Forest College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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