We're a diverse, close-knit community where all students have a voice and all experiences are celebrated. Whether you’re a first-year, transfer, or international student, you'll be welcomed to our gorgeous college campus with open arms.
Lake Forest College was ranked #24 Best Quality of Life by The Princeton Review and #22 for Student Experience by the Wall Street Journal.
There's always something happening on campus, and with a student body of 1,753, it's easy to get to know your peers.
Our campus is home to over 1,700 students who participate in over 90 clubs and organizations.
There are more than 40 languages spoken on campus, and we celebrate the wide array of identities and experiences of our students.
Big school in a big city? Rural college town? With so many educational settings available, how do you pick the right college location for you? Lake Forest College students get to make the most of being near the third-largest US city no matter their area of study.
At Lake Forest College, we are academically excellent, curious about the bigger world, and interested in making connections with others. With a campus community representing 108 countries and nearly every state, Foresters develop a sense of global responsibility and cultural awareness that makes us more empathetic, more connected, and more in-tune with the consciousness of the world.
With a community composed of people from nearly every socioeconomic and cultural background, our campus celebrates the rich diversity of our community. Lake Forest College students have experiences that develop understanding, respect, and appreciation for the diverse cultures of the community members around them.
Our students enjoy our beautiful wooded campus, which is just a ten-minute walk from the beachy shores of Lake Michigan.
We make the most of being by the fifth-largest lake in the world.
Everybody loves Boomer the Bear!
Our students make it to the city for classes, internships, and independent excursions.
High-level research is close within reach thanks to our small class sizes and unique research programs.
Once you're a Forester, you're a Forester forever.
Life in Lake Forest Lake Forest, Illinois is a city on the picturesque North Shore of the Chicagoland area. Just 30 miles north of Chicago, the third-largest city in the US and Time Out's third-best city in the world, Lake Forest is a peaceful community with dining, shops, and more in the charming Market Square. (Ever see Gilmore Girls? Think Stars Hollow meets Midwest-nice.) The Metra train station in Lake Forest's downtown leads directly to Chicago with no transfers, ensuring the community can take part in all the big city has to offer. Plus, Lake Forest boasts access to the gorgeous body of water known as Lake Michigan by way of a sandy beach that's perfect for picnics, sun-soaking, and swimming.
At Lake Forest College, you'll never have to choose between your passions and pragmatism. We'll help you make both work for you with support from our faculty, staff, and nationally recognized career services every step of the way.
Learn more about what you can expect during your first year at Lake Forest.
With nearly 90 student organizations on campus, there’s no shortage of cultural, academic, and personal interest clubs to get involved with.
New Student Orientation provides many ways to meet new friends and learn about all the resources available to you.
When you’re not in the classroom or studying in Wood Lounge, you might find yourself taking a short walk to the lake or going down to Chicago.
