Kenyon College vs Lake Forest College
Kenyon College and Lake Forest College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Kenyon, nestled in Gambier, Ohio, boasts a lower acceptance rate (29%) compared to Lake Forest's 62% in Lake Forest, Illinois. Kenyon's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 1,680 compared to Lake Forest's 1,480. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Kenyon is known for its strengths in the humanities and social sciences, while Lake Forest excels in the natural sciences and business. With graduation rates of 86% and 84% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for their post-graduate endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Kenyon College |
![]() Lake Forest College |
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Overview |
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Location | Gambier, Ohio | Lake Forest, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | 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 | 91.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 36.5% | 64.4% |
Application fees | $50 | |
SAT range | 1340 - 1500 | 1130 - 1345 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 25.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 28.0% | 15.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,601 | 4,358 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,778 | 2,808 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 508 | 417 |
Yield rate | 18.3% | 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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,270 | $66,400 |
Average net price | $38,927 | $25,126 |
Tuition | $63,060 | $50,100 |
Room & board | $13,310 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,540
Meal plan:
$5,958
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
79.0%
Average amount $32,553 |
100.0%
Average amount $38,182 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,119 |
43.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $3,894 |
4.0%
Average amount $15,800 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,875
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
1,661
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
Graduate students | N/A |
29
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 45.4% |
International students | 10.3% | 15.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,868 | 1,236 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Illinois Arizona California Colorado Minnesota |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.5% | 73.0% |
Dropout rate | 6.5% | 4.8% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | 22.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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