91¿´Æ¬Íø

• The  Wall Street Journal rated 91¿´Æ¬Íø as the top liberal-arts college in the Midwest in a ranking released December 18, 2023.  

This ranking is based on three factors: student outcomes such as graduation rates, graduates’ salaries, and how those salaries offset the cost of attaining an undergraduate degree at each school; students’ evaluations of their school’s learning facilities, learning opportunities, and ability to prepare them for a career, as well as how strongly they would recommend the school; and the diversity of a school’s students and faculty.

The Wall Street Journal also ranked 91¿´Æ¬Íø #27 among all colleges nationwide. In addition, the Journal ranked 91¿´Æ¬Íø  #22 for Student Experience, #23 for Social Mobility, and #75 for Salary Impact.

This year the  Journal based its rankings on how much each school improves on-time graduation for its students and the impact a degree from each school has on graduates’ salaries.

The newspaper updated its ranking methodology, noting that “colleges aren’t just rewarded for their raw performance in traditional metrics; rather, they’re also evaluated against a benchmark that shows how the schools improve the trajectories of their students’ careers.”

Facts and Figures

Location

91¿´Æ¬Íø is located in the suburban town of Lake Forest, a half mile from Lake Michigan and 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College’s 107 acres are spread out across three campuses that are divided by wooded ravines. It is home to more than 250 species of naturalized plants and 187 bird species.

With classic 19th and 20th Century architecture, mature oak trees, and numerous green spaces, the College has been and remains a popular place to film movies.

Student Body

• Our students come from 43 states, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 120 countries.
• 32% of domestic students identify as students of color
• 18% are international students
• More than 40 languages are spoken on campus

Faculty

Lake Forest professors regularly include undergraduates in their primary research and supervise independent research projects.

They receive fellowships and grants from such notable organizations as the Fulbright Program, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Endowment for the Humanities, Freeman Foundation, Mellon Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Getty Trust, Goldsmith Foundation, and Kemper Foundation.

Areas of Study

The College has 32 majors, plus minors and special programs. Students can declare up to two majors and one minor, or one major and two minors.

The year includes two 15-week semesters and three four-week terms in the summer session.

Off-Campus Study

Participating in an off-campus program, whether to study, intern, research, or volunteer, can be a life-changing experience and is highly encouraged at Lake Forest. Students may participate for credit in a total of two semester-long programs chosen from our list of 200+  programs in 70 countries. The programs on this list may be sponsored by 91¿´Æ¬Íø, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, or one of several trusted program providers.

Internships

The College was ranked #14 on The Princeton Review’s list of Top 20 Schools for Internships (Private Schools) in  , based on students’ ratings of accessibility of internship placement at their school. In recent years, students have held internships with such organizations as The Art Institute of Chicago, Abbott Laboratories, the American Writers Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, CDW, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Goldman Sachs, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Morgan Stanley, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, the Shedd Aquarium, StarCom, Stout Advisory, University of Chicago Medicine, University of Chicago Press, and WNBA Chicago Sky.

Community Education

The College serves adults living in the region through the Office of Community Education. The College currently offers a  Master of Liberal Studies (M/LS) program and Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.

Center for Chicago Programs

The Center for Chicago Programs connects Lake Forest students to the educational and cultural riches of Chicago both on campus and in the city. The Center is an integral part of the student and faculty experience at the College.

Lake Forest has 25 Division III teams, including 12 women’s (basketball, cross country, distance indoor track, distance outdoor track, golf, handball, ice hockey, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, and lacrosse) and 11 men’s (basketball, cross country, distance indoor track, distance outdoor track, football, golf, handball, ice hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and lacrosse). Many students are also involved in club or intramural sports.

Team name: Foresters
School mascot: Boomer the Bear
School colors: Red and black

Alumni

The College and its Alumni Board host events around the country. More than 13,000 alumni, in 63 countries and all 50 states, participate in student mentor programs, assist with internships, and support the College through donations.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

91¿´Æ¬Íø admits students regardless of their ability to pay, so that qualified students from all economic backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. Lake Forest is committed to meeting as much of a student’s demonstrated financial need as possible, which may include a combination of federal/state/college grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The College offers several merit-based scholarships, recognizing academic achievement, talent, and community engagement.