Loyola University Chicago: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Chicago, Illinois · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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Loyola University Chicago is a private nonprofit university in Chicago, Illinois that admits about 75% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $36,079 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 74% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Loyola University Chicago is a private institution located in Chicago, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, Loyola University Chicago admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 75%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1297 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,079 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Loyola University Chicago?
62% of enrolled students at Loyola University Chicago had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.74, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Loyola University Chicago weight in admissions?
Loyola University Chicago reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores Loyola University Chicago typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1220 |
| 50th percentile | 1297 |
| 75th percentile | 1390 |
| % submitting SAT | 39% |
| 25th percentile | 26 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 15% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 37.3% |
| Top 25% of class | 69.3% |
| Top 50% of class | 91.6% |
| % submitting class rank | 19.2% |
How much does Loyola University Chicago actually cost?
Published tuition is $53,710 for in-state students and $53,710 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,010 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,079 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 24% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $56,930 |
| Room and board | $17,980 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $36,079 |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Loyola University Chicago
| Notification date | Rolling basis beginning 10/15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks of notification |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Loyola University Chicago?
These predict outcomes at Loyola University Chicago better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Loyola University Chicago
The most popular undergraduate programs at Loyola University Chicago, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Loyola University Chicago confers roughly 1,725 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $86,020 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 415 | $86,020 |
| Biology, General | 305 | $67,114 |
| Psychology, General | 269 | $59,090 |
| Marketing | 170 | $85,371 |
| Political Science and Government | 160 | $68,766 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 146 | $102,491 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 139 | $67,395 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 121 | $72,266 |
Is Loyola University Chicago safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Loyola University Chicago disclosed 39 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Loyola University Chicago?
About 42% of undergraduates at Loyola University Chicago live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 9% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
Next steps for Loyola University Chicago
Common questions parents ask about Loyola University Chicago
What GPA do I need for Loyola University Chicago?
62% of enrolled students at Loyola University Chicago had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.74, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Loyola University Chicago typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32.
How much does Loyola University Chicago actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Loyola University Chicago after grants and scholarships is $36,079 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $53,710. Budget against the net figure.
Is Loyola University Chicago realistic for my child?
Loyola University Chicago admits 75% of applicants, so 570–670 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $36,079 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola University Chicago accepts about 75% of applicants out of roughly 43,954 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Loyola University Chicago test-optional?
Yes. Loyola University Chicago is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Loyola University Chicago?
About 74% of students at Loyola University Chicago graduate within six years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Loyola University Chicago look for in applicants?
Loyola University Chicago rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Loyola University Chicago a public or private school, and where is it located?
Loyola University Chicago is a private nonprofit institution located in Chicago, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at Loyola University Chicago?
The largest undergraduate majors at Loyola University Chicago by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,725 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Loyola University Chicago safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Loyola University Chicago reported 39 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Loyola University Chicago?
At Loyola University Chicago, 42% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 9% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Loyola University Chicago, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers