At $27,499/yr net price, Lake Forest College graduates earn $61,825/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,825/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,499 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $109,996 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,825/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,825/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,158 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,067/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,086/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,694/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,799/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,614/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
70.4% of students at Lake Forest College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lake Forest College gives you a mixed financial return. Median earnings ten years out land at $61,825, which clears your median debt of $26,158 and makes the loan load manageable if you finish. And finishing is likely: seven in ten students graduate, and 86% come back after freshman year, so you are unlikely to pay for a degree you never earn.
The catch sits in the gap between school-wide earnings and what the listed programs report early on. Economics and finance lead the program earnings here, and both carry the same $27,000 debt figure, so economics buys you more income for the same borrowing. Political science pays the least of the tracked majors and still saddles you with that $27,000, making it the weakest financial bet on this list. If you enroll for a lower-earning major, the debt does not shrink to match the smaller paycheck.
The main risk is cost. At roughly $27,500 a year net, four years runs past $100,000 before any single early-career salary here has caught up. That works if you land in economics, finance, or business and stay employed in the Chicago-area market. It works less well if you are undecided or drawn to lower-paying fields.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $19,000 a year, nearly $15,000 less than families above $110,000, who face roughly $34,600. That top tier is where the math gets tight. you are paying near-sticker price and need a high-earning major to justify it.
Come here if you are targeting economics, finance, or business and your family sits in a lower income tier. Look elsewhere if you are full-pay and leaning toward a lower-earning major.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Forest College worth the cost for the return on investment?
Lake Forest College graduates earn a median of $61,825 after 10 years, which is decent but not exceptional given the $27,499 annual net price. The payback period is reasonable, though students should carefully consider their major since earnings vary significantly by program.
Which Lake Forest College majors have the best job prospects and salaries?
Economics and Finance majors at Lake Forest College see the strongest returns, with median earnings around $44,000-$46,000. Communication and general business graduates earn in the low $40,000s, while Political Science majors face lower earning potential at around $30,400.
How much debt do Lake Forest College students typically graduate with?
Lake Forest College graduates carry a median debt of $26,158, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With typical starting salaries, most graduates should be able to handle this debt load without major financial strain.
Does Lake Forest College provide good financial aid to make tuition affordable?
Lake Forest College's net price of $27,499 represents significant financial aid from the sticker price, making it more accessible than many private liberal arts colleges. However, this still requires substantial family contribution or borrowing for most students.