Lake Forest College vs Methodist College: which has better ROI?
Methodist College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $167,148 in 7.8 years versus 8.5 years at Lake Forest College, on median earnings of $69,800 vs $61,825 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Forest College | Methodist College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,673 | $41,787 |
| Total net cost | $114,692 | $167,148 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,825 | $69,800 |
| Median debt | $26,158 | $31,250 |
| Payback | 8.5 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $154,608 | $261,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Forest College or Methodist College?
Lake Forest College, at $28,673 a year after aid versus $41,787 — a gap of $13,114 a year, or $52,456 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 Methodist College graduates earn more?
Methodist College graduates report a median $69,800 ten years after entry, $7,975 more than the $61,825 at Lake Forest College. 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 Methodist College?
Lake Forest College: its completers carry a median $26,158 in federal loans versus $31,250 at Methodist College, a difference of $5,092. 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 20% at Methodist College. 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.