Lake County Gazette

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Lake Forest College third in the nation for Social Mobility and eleventh in the Best Value Schools category in its 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings, which were released today.

This is the fifth year in a row that Lake Forest College has placed among the top three nationally for Social Mobility. This category measures how well colleges enroll and graduate large numbers of disadvantaged students. The recognition points to the college’s ongoing commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable, as well as a broader national trend that focuses on student outcomes rather than reputation or selectivity.

Lake Forest College’s overall ranking among National Liberal Arts Colleges also improved, rising to 75th from last year’s 77th place. This marks a significant increase since 2011, when it was ranked 105th. In addition, the college moved up to 11th place on the Best Value list, an improvement from its previous position at 13th last year. The Best Value ranking considers both academic quality and net cost for students who receive average need-based financial aid.

The latest U.S. News report underscores Lake Forest College’s consistent progress and continued emphasis on providing an affordable education that prepares students for meaningful careers and purposeful lives.