Location: Lake Forest, IL•In-State Tuition: $54,202•Admission Rate: 59%•Avg SAT: 1309
Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,587
5th percentile
10th percentile in Illinois
Median Debt
$27,000
16% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.56 ManageableSample: 17 graduates Limited data

Analysis

At $48,587 in first-year earnings, Lake Forest's computer science graduates earn roughly $23,000 less than typical Illinois CS graduates and land in the bottom 10% statewide. This is striking given the program's relatively modest debt load of $27,000—the issue isn't overleveraging, it's that graduates aren't accessing the well-paying tech jobs that make CS degrees valuable. Illinois has a robust tech sector, with even mid-tier programs placing graduates above $70,000, so Lake Forest's outcomes suggest either limited employer connections or students entering lower-tier positions in the field.

The small sample size here matters significantly. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of students pursuing graduate school immediately or taking non-traditional paths could drastically skew these numbers downward. That said, the gap is too large to dismiss entirely—even accounting for statistical noise, this program appears to underperform its regional peers by a substantial margin.

For parents considering this program, the question is whether Lake Forest's small liberal arts environment justifies the opportunity cost. If your child is set on computer science specifically and wants strong early career earnings, Illinois offers numerous alternatives with proven track records. Lake Forest might work for a student who values the small college experience above all else, but they should enter knowing the CS outcomes trail far behind what's typical for the major.

Where Lake Forest College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

Lake Forest CollegeOther computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Lake Forest College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Lake Forest College earns $49k — 5th percentile among computer science bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (41 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest$54,202$48,587—$27,0000.56
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign$16,004$124,530$143,775$20,5000.16
University of ChicagoChicago$66,939$117,578$175,145——
Northwestern UniversityEvanston$65,997$99,981$130,650$14,6000.15
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago$51,763$86,005$103,119$23,2500.27
Wheaton CollegeWheaton$43,930$81,470———
National Median—$70,950—$23,3740.33

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lake Forest College, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.