- TypeUniversities
- LocationLake Forest, The United States
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Lake Forest College is a liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois, on Chicago's North Shore, about 30 miles (an hour) north of Chicago. It has a 107-acre wooded campus near Lake Michigan and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college combines liberal arts study with internships, research, study abroad and the Lake Forest In The Loop programme; students can take up to two majors and a minor. In summer, the ACTIVATE programme houses students in the college's residential building in downtown Chicago while they complete internships there. Graduate options include a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Liberal Studies.
About one in five students is international, and the community represents more than 100 countries. International applicants submit a transcript, a recommendation letter in English and an English test (for example TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5); SAT and ACT are optional. Admission for international students is need-aware, and admitted international students may receive merit awards of up to US$37,000 per year; the college also welcomes Davis United World College Scholars. First-year students take part in a residential experience on campus.
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Private University
+1 847-234-3100
555 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL, The United States, 60045-2338
Liberal arts education combined with internships, research and study abroad. Students can choose up to two majors and one minor, or one major and two minors, and combine fields freely, for example:
- Music and data science
- Theater and neuroscience
- Marketing and psychology
- African American studies and creative writing
First-year students can join the Richter Scholar summer research programme, and the ACTIVATE programme offers summer internships in Chicago. AP and IB exams can earn college credit.
Lake Forest College offers a small number of graduate options, charged per course:
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Master of Liberal Studies
- Post Graduate Teaching Option
Applicants use the Common Application or the college's own application. International applicants submit:
- Secondary school transcript
- One letter of recommendation in English from a teacher or college counsellor
- English proficiency test score
- SAT or ACT (optional; an interview is required for test-optional applicants)
- CSS Profile, if applying for need-based aid
Admission of international students is need-aware. Before the I-20 is issued, enrolled students complete a Confirmation of Financial Support. Applicants from China may submit a Vericant interview.
International applicants submit one official English score: TOEFL 90 or higher, IELTS 6.5 composite or higher, or Duolingo English Test 120 or higher, unless they can otherwise prove English proficiency. Admissions staff may also interview applicants to assess their English. International transfer students at an English-language institution with at least one semester of college credit do not need to submit test scores.
Charges for full-time undergraduates in the 2026-27 academic year:
- Tuition: US$60,204 per year (US$30,102 per semester)
- Tuition plus activity, health centre and recreation fees: US$61,156
- Standard room: US$6,565; board (all meal plans): US$6,981
- Total tuition and on-campus charges: US$74,702
Student health insurance costs US$2,125 for 12 months unless waived, and new students pay a US$200 deposit.
Admitted international students may receive a merit-based award of up to US$37,000 per year, plus need-based aid (via the College Board's International Student Financial Aid PROFILE) and Fine Arts Scholarships in music, studio art and theatre. A new student entering in 2026-27 may receive up to US$48,000 in combined scholarships and grants, renewed each year without a new application if academic performance is maintained. Work-Study jobs on campus (usually up to US$2,000 per year) may be offered to F-1 students with financial need. The college also supports Davis United World College Scholars.
Lake Forest College has a residency requirement and a first-year residential experience (The FOREST). Options include traditional residence halls (Blackstone, Harlan, Lois, Nollen, Roberts, McClure, Gregory), Cleveland-Young and Deerpath (with suites), Moore and campus apartments. For 2026-27 a standard room costs US$6,565 a year and board US$6,981. In summer, ACTIVATE interns live in the college's residential building in downtown Chicago.