Lake Forest College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Lake Forest College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and student experiences. Lake Forest, a liberal arts college nestled in the serene suburbs of Chicago, boasts a tight-knit community and personalized education, while MIT, a world-renowned research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is celebrated for its rigorous academics and cutting-edge research opportunities. With acceptance rates of 68% and 7%, respectively, these institutions cater to different applicant pools. While Lake Forest students predominantly pursue majors in the humanities and social sciences, MIT's strengths lie in STEM fields. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lake Forest College |
![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Lake Forest, Illinois | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 99.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 64.4% | 4.1% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | 1130 - 1345 | N/A |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 15.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,358 | 33,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,808 | 1,365 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 417 | 1,177 |
Yield rate | 14.9% | 86.2% |
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 | $58,920 |
Average net price | $25,126 | $30,958 |
Tuition | $50,100 | $55,510 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,540
Meal plan:
$5,958
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Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
|
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 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $15,800 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,661
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
Graduate students |
29
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 45.4% | N/A |
International students | 15.7% | 29.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,236 | 6,280 |
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 | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 73.0% | 96.2% |
Dropout rate | 4.8% | 3.0% |
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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Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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