Loyola University Chicago is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Chicago, Illinois. It enrolls 11,737 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes76
Value20
Affordability17
Selectivity62
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 81.6%, Loyola University Chicago is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
81.6%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1170 – 1360
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
27 – 32
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Loyola University Chicago is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
14.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Loyola University Chicago isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $36,079 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$36,079
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
24%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
45%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$53,710
Room & Board (on-campus)
$17,010
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,088
Books & Supplies
$1,600
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,700
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,700
Total Cost of Attendance
$67,408
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$28,992
$30,001 – $48,000
$28,663
$48,001 – $75,000
$32,432
$75,001 – $110,000
$36,853
Over $110,000
$42,346
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,28210%percentile
$8,50025%percentile
$24,157Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$33,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $23,250
↓ $907
No Pell $19,500
↓ $4,657
Dependent students $20,000
↓ $4,157
Independent students $22,000
↓ $2,157
Female students $20,500
↓ $3,657
Male students $20,000
↓ $4,157
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $11,964, less than completers ($24,157), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
70% of full-time students who enrolled at Loyola University Chicago graduate within six years, and 83% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
70%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
83%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $71,530 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$71,530
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$57,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$76,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$67,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$60,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$63,800
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $18,900, about 25% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.0 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 90% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Loyola University Chicago is home to 11,737 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
11,737
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
28%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 47.2%5,538
Hispanic 23.3%2,734
Asian 12.9%1,515
Black 8.1%947
Other 5.2%609
International 2.1%249
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Loyola University Chicago. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityChicago, Illinois
Housing
Mostly residential4,989 beds on campus
Adult Learners
5%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Loyola University Chicago offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
180 distinct programs across
26 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Loyola University Chicago is 13:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
13:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$2.1B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$101,769
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,006 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
237
24%
$144,949
Associate Professors
250
25%
$105,419
Assistant Professors
251
25%
$93,589
Instructors
73
7%
$75,539
Lecturers
190
19%
$76,050
No Rank
5
0%
$64,995
Pros & Cons of Loyola University Chicago
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Loyola University Chicago tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Above-average graduation rate
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Loyola University Chicago is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Loyola University Chicago
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Loyola University Chicago.
Is Loyola University Chicago hard to get into?
Loyola University Chicago has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 81.6%.
What is the acceptance rate at Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 81.6%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Loyola University Chicago?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Loyola University Chicago scored between 1170 and 1360 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Loyola University Chicago?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Loyola University Chicago scored between 27 and 32 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Loyola University Chicago cost?
The average net price after aid at Loyola University Chicago is $36,079 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Loyola University Chicago worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $71,530 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $36,079 per year. That's roughly 2.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Loyola University Chicago known for?
Loyola University Chicago is best known for its programs in Social Work, Nursing, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Loyola University Chicago graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Loyola University Chicago are $71,530, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Loyola University Chicago accredited?
Yes. Loyola University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola University Chicago enrolls 11,737 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola University Chicago graduates 70% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Loyola University Chicago a public or private college?
Loyola University Chicago is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Loyola University Chicago located?
Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois.
What programs does Loyola University Chicago offer?
Loyola University Chicago offers 180 distinct programs. The most popular include Social Work, Nursing, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Loyola University Chicago?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Loyola University Chicago is 13:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Illinois
Other colleges in Illinois share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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