Denison University vs Lake Forest College

Denison University and Lake Forest College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Denison, nestled in Granville, Ohio, boasts a higher acceptance rate (34%) compared to Lake Forest's selective admissions (28%). While Denison's student body is slightly larger, both colleges share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering personalized learning environments. Explore their contrasting popular majors—Denison emphasizes Economics and Communication, while Lake Forest excels in Psychology and Business. Discover the nuances in their student demographics, graduation rates, and more by delving into the comprehensive comparison table. This side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, aligning your academic aspirations with the institution that best suits your unique goals and preferences.
Denison University logo

Denison University

Lake Forest College logo

Lake Forest College

Overview

Location Granville, Ohio Lake Forest, Illinois
Campus setting Suburb: Small Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 87.0% 87.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 28.3% 64.4%
Application fees $50
SAT range 1230 - 1430 1130 - 1345
ACT range 28 - 32 26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score 28.0% 26.0%
Students submitting ACT score 23.0% 15.0%
Total number of applicants 9,513 4,358
Total number of admissions given out 2,689 2,808
Admitted students who chose to enroll 654 417
Yield rate 24.3% 14.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $73,900 $66,400
Average net price $38,833 $25,126
Tuition $57,500 $50,100
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,700

Meal plan: $6,560
Room/dormitory: $5,540

Meal plan: $5,958
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

96.0%
Average amount $34,310
100.0%
Average amount $38,182
Students receiving federal student loan 41.0%
Average amount $5,126
43.0%
Average amount $5,895
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $15,550
4.0%
Average amount $15,800

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,321
Men 47.8% Women 52.2%
1,661
Men 41.7% Women 58.3%
Graduate students N/A 29
Men 34.5% Women 65.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 74.8% 45.4%
International students 16.8% 15.7%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Small Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 2,479 1,236
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Ohio Illinois Mississippi Pennsylvania New York Illinois Arizona California Colorado Minnesota

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Education
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Psychology
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 81.3% 73.0%
Dropout rate 4.1% 4.8%
Transferred out 14.4% 22.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,668
  • Year 2: $50,439
  • Year 3: $60,027
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $45,885
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,270
  • Year 2: $32,569
  • Year 3: $45,530
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,133
  • Year 2: $36,134
  • Year 3: $45,058
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $44,127
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,288
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: $39,071
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $35,840
Sociology and Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,362
  • Year 2: $23,649
  • Year 3: $35,544
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,013
  • Year 2: $24,421
  • Year 3: $33,940
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,424
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $33,345
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,498
  • Year 2: $44,468
  • Year 3: $58,948
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,662
  • Year 2: $41,007
  • Year 3: $50,604
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,515
  • Year 2: $40,647
  • Year 3: $46,215
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,630
  • Year 2: $30,409
  • Year 3: $42,995
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,945
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $37,497
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,373
  • Year 2: $23,807
  • Year 3: $32,580
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,153
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,832
  • Year 3: N/A
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,544
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,197
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Denison University and Lake Forest College?

    Denison University is located in Granville, Ohio, a quintessential small college town, offering a more secluded and traditional campus experience. Lake Forest College, on the other hand, is situated in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. This provides students with a blend of a small college atmosphere and easy access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major city.

  • How do Denison University and Lake Forest College compare in terms of size and student body?

    Denison University has a slightly larger undergraduate enrollment, typically around 2,300 students, while Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,600 undergraduates. Both institutions pride themselves on fostering a close-knit community, but Lake Forest's smaller size may offer an even more intimate learning environment.

  • What are the academic strengths of Denison University and Lake Forest College?

    Denison University is known for its strong programs in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Lake Forest College excels in areas like pre-med, business, and international relations, leveraging its proximity to Chicago for internships and research opportunities.

  • How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between Denison University and Lake Forest College?

    Both Denison and Lake Forest offer robust career services, but their approaches differ slightly. Denison emphasizes a broad liberal arts education as preparation for a variety of careers, with strong alumni networking. Lake Forest College leverages its Chicago location to provide students with extensive internship opportunities in fields like finance, marketing, and healthcare.

  • What is the social scene like at Denison University versus Lake Forest College?

    Denison University's social scene is centered around campus life, with a strong emphasis on Greek life and student organizations. Lake Forest College offers a more diverse social experience, with students taking advantage of both campus activities and the attractions of nearby Chicago. The presence of Greek life is less prominent at Lake Forest.

  • How do the costs of attending Denison University and Lake Forest College compare?

    Both Denison University and Lake Forest College are private liberal arts colleges, and their tuition costs are comparable. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages and living expenses. It's best to compare individual financial aid offers from both institutions to determine the most affordable option.

  • What types of students thrive at Denison University versus Lake Forest College?

    Denison University is a good fit for students who enjoy a traditional college experience in a close-knit campus community and are looking for a broad liberal arts education. Lake Forest College is well-suited for students who want a smaller college environment with easy access to a major city and are interested in leveraging those opportunities for internships and career development.

  • What are the athletic programs like at Denison University and Lake Forest College?

    Denison University competes in NCAA Division III athletics and has a strong reputation in a variety of sports. Lake Forest College also participates in NCAA Division III athletics, offering a range of varsity sports. Both schools provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level while pursuing their academic goals.

  • How do Denison University and Lake Forest College approach diversity and inclusion?

    Both Denison University and Lake Forest College are committed to fostering diverse and inclusive campus communities. They offer various programs and initiatives to support students from different backgrounds and promote intercultural understanding. Specific programs and resources may vary, so it's worth exploring each institution's website for more details.

  • What are the graduation rates and post-graduate outcomes for Denison University and Lake Forest College?

    Both Denison University and Lake Forest College boast strong graduation rates and successful post-graduate outcomes for their students. Graduates from both institutions go on to pursue advanced degrees at top universities and secure employment in a variety of fields. Specific data on graduation rates and career placement can be found on each college's website.

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