Lake Forest College vs Judson University: which has better ROI?
Lake Forest College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,692 in 8.5 years versus 9.3 years at Judson University, on median earnings of $61,825 vs $56,313 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Forest College | Judson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,673 | $18,558 |
| Total net cost | $114,692 | $74,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,825 | $56,313 |
| Median debt | $26,158 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 8.5 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $154,608 | $84,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Forest College or Judson University?
Judson University, at $18,558 a year after aid versus $28,673 — a gap of $10,115 a year, or $40,460 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lake Forest College or Judson University graduates earn more?
Lake Forest College graduates report a median $61,825 ten years after entry, $5,512 more than the $56,313 at Judson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Lake Forest College or Judson University?
Judson University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,158 at Lake Forest College, a difference of $1,158. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Lake Forest College, against 60% at Judson University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.