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Lake Bluff UptownPhoto: Teemu08 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Lake Bluff

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is 1.3 miles from Lake Bluff

No college sits inside Lake Bluff’s boundary, but Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s campus in North Chicago, with 1,911 students on campus, is 1.3 miles from the center of town, and College of Lake County is 9.5 miles away in Grayslake. About 5% of Lake Bluff’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Illinois (6%).

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceLake Forest College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Lake Bluff. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
5
13,566 students on campus
Nearest college
1.3 mi
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Residents in college
5%
About the same as IL (6%)
Nearest community college
9.5 mi
College of Lake County · $4,788 tuition
Nearest public university
22 mi
Northeastern Illinois University · $12,383 in-state
Median household income
$204K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Lake Bluff

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 2.6 milesLake Forest College admits 57% of applicants. Together they have 3,729 students on campus.A community college 9.5 miles awayCollege of Lake County in Grayslake: tuition and fees $4,788 a year for Illinois residents.In-state price at Northeastern Illinois UniversityLiving in Illinois, Northeastern Illinois University charges $12,383 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,726. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Illinois (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Lake Bluff

Four private colleges within 7.6 miles, and College of Lake County 9.5 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Northeastern Illinois University, is 22 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miCollege of Lake CountyRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceLake Forest CollegeLake Bluff
University or collegeCommunity college
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,911 on campus · 1.3 mi · North ChicagoGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Lake Forest CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,818 on campus · 2.6 mi · Lake Forest57%admitted$29knet price78%graduate$62kearningsTrinity International University-IllinoisUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 520 on campus · 6 mi · Deerfield100%admitted$3knet price46%graduate$47kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.University of Saint Mary of the LakeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 173 on campus · 7.6 mi · MundeleinGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.College of Lake CountyCommunity college · Public · 9,144 on campus · 9.5 mi · Grayslake$8knet price37%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $4,788 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Lake Bluff’s median household income ($204,000) falls.

College of Lake County9.5 mi · Grayslake · sticker $12,694 · tuition $4,788$11,025a year
Northeastern Illinois University22 mi · Chicago · sticker $26,960$25,001a year
Lake Forest College2.6 mi · Lake Forest · sticker $70,655$35,341a year
Trinity International University-Illinois6 mi · Deerfield · sticker $16,515—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Lake Forest CollegeTrinity International University-IllinoisCollege of Lake CountyNortheastern Illinois University
College of Lake County37% graduate$43k earnings$9k typical debt
Northeastern Illinois University22% graduate$52k earnings$15k typical debt
Lake Forest College78% graduate$62k earnings$26k typical debt
Trinity International University-Illinois46% graduate$47k earnings*$26k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Trinity International University-Illinois (2).

Questions about college near Lake Bluff

Is Lake Bluff a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Lake Bluff residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, is 1.3 miles away in North Chicago.

What colleges are near Lake Bluff?

Within 15 miles: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (1.3 miles, 1,911 students on campus), Lake Forest College (2.6 miles, 1,818), Trinity International University-Illinois (6 miles, 520), the University of Saint Mary of the Lake (7.6 miles, 173) and College of Lake County (9.5 miles, 9,144).

What is the closest community college to Lake Bluff, and what does it cost?

College of Lake County in Grayslake, 9.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,788 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $7,607, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Northeastern Illinois University cost if we live in Illinois?

Tuition and fees are $12,383 a year in-state and $22,726 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,709 (under $30,000 income) to $25,001 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Lake Bluff. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →