Lake Forest College vs Notre Dame
Lake Forest College and the University of Notre Dame stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both institutions share a commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience, they differ in several key aspects. Lake Forest College, a private liberal arts college, boasts a significantly smaller student body and a more intimate learning environment compared to the larger, research-intensive University of Notre Dame. The acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates also vary between the two institutions, shaping the overall experience for their respective student populations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into the specifics and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lake Forest College |
![]() University of Notre Dame |
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Overview |
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Location | Lake Forest, Illinois | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 64.4% | 15.1% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1130 - 1345 | 1410 - 1550 |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 33.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 15.0% | 36.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,358 | 23,642 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,808 | 3,562 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 417 | 2,059 |
Yield rate | 14.9% | 57.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,400 | $78,347 |
Average net price | $25,126 | $30,513 |
Tuition | $50,100 | $58,336 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,540
Meal plan:
$5,958
|
$16,304 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,182 |
57.0%
Average amount $46,306 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
30.0%
Average amount $4,134 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $15,800 |
12.0%
Average amount $8,564 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,661
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
8,973
Men 51.6% Women 48.4% |
Graduate students |
29
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
4,166
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 45.4% | 93.1% |
International students | 15.7% | 12.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,236 | 6,919 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Arizona California Colorado Minnesota | Illinois California Texas Indiana New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 73.0% | 95.9% |
Dropout rate | 4.8% | 3.9% |
Transferred out | 22.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (First Professional Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (First Professional Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics and Statistics, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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