Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 74.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 70.4%
- Retention Rate
- 86.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $61,825
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,158
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 77.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $277/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $44,468 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $41,007 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $40,647 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,832 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $25,967 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $23,807 | $25,707 |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $22,087 | $26,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Lake Forest graduates earn a median of $61,825 within ten years, putting them ahead of many liberal arts college peers. The typical monthly loan payment of $277 represents about 5.4% of median income, which falls within manageable territory. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, graduates carry reasonable debt loads compared to the national average of 0.6 for private colleges. The school's strong alumni network, particularly in Chicago's finance and media industries, helps explain the solid employment rate of 92.9%. Notable alumni like David Schwimmer demonstrate the creative and entertainment pathways available. The combination of moderate debt, decent earnings, and strong job placement rates delivers an average return on investment for students willing to leverage the networking advantages.