Western Illinois University vs Lake Forest College: 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 8.9 years at Western Illinois University, on median earnings of $61,825 vs $54,163 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western Illinois University | Lake Forest College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,937 | $28,673 |
| Total net cost | $51,748 | $114,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,163 | $61,825 |
| Median debt | $25,251 | $26,158 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $64,312 | $154,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Western Illinois University or Lake Forest College?
Western Illinois University, at $12,937 a year after aid versus $28,673 — a gap of $15,736 a year, or $62,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Western Illinois University or Lake Forest College graduates earn more?
Lake Forest College graduates report a median $61,825 ten years after entry, $7,662 more than the $54,163 at Western Illinois 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, Western Illinois University or Lake Forest College?
Western Illinois University: its completers carry a median $25,251 in federal loans versus $26,158 at Lake Forest College, a difference of $907. 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 45% at Western Illinois 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.