Is Lake Forest College test optional?

We haven't confirmed Lake Forest College's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Lake Forest College's acceptance rate?

57% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 3,043 of 5,356 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 59%, from 3,373 in 2015 to 5,356 in 2024, and Lake Forest College's admit rate went from 55% to 57%.

What ACT score do you need for Lake Forest College?

10% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 28–32, with a median of 30. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1230–1400 works out to about 26–31.

What GPA do you need for Lake Forest College?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.78 high school GPA, and 45% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Lake Forest College?

39 of the 54 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 72%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

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What SAT score do you need for Lake Forest College? (Middle 50%: 1230–1400)

First-year students at Lake Forest College who sent an SAT scored 1230–1400, with a median of 1300 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Lake Forest College admits 57% of applicants.

Lake Forest College · Lake Forest, IL

Where your score lands at Lake Forest College

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1230–1400, median 1300

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Lake Forest College is for you and whether to send your score.

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Lake Forest College by the numbers

Admit rate: 57%
Middle 50% SAT: 1230–1400
Median SAT: 1300
About on the ACT: 26–31
Sent an SAT: 16%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Lake Forest College admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 59%, from 3,373 in 2015 to 5,356 in 2024, and Lake Forest College's admit rate went from 55% to 57%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	5,356	3,043	57%
2023	4,811	2,858	59%
2022	4,665	2,786	60%
2021	4,358	2,808	64%
2020	4,482	2,582	58%
2019	4,739	2,616	55%
2018	4,147	2,402	58%
2017	4,303	2,280	53%
2016	4,227	2,407	57%
2015	3,373	1,855	55%

In fall 2024, 415 of the 3,043 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Lake Forest College

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1180Far reachHold
1180–1220ReachHold
1230–1290TargetHold
1300–1390TargetSend
1400 and upLikelySend

100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Lake Forest College SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	590	650	680
SAT Reading and Writing	600	670	713
SAT total	1230	1300	1400
ACT composite	28	30	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 16% sent an SAT and 10% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Average high school GPA: 3.78; 100% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 45%; of new students who reported a rank

Lake Forest College waitlist

Waitlist

75 applicants were offered a spot, 54 took it, and 39 were admitted from it.

72%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Lake Forest College cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $28,673; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 78%
Median earnings: $61,825; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 1,941

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Sources

Lake Forest College Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Lake Forest College website
Lake Forest College

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1230–1400, and the median was 1300. At 1300 or higher you're above half of them. Lake Forest College admits 57% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$