Loyola vs. Carleton College

Should I go to Loyola University Chicago or Carleton College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Loyola or Carleton College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Marquette University Macalester College UIC Grinnell St Olaf Northwestern Illinois UChicago Butler DePaul Bradley Purdue
Loyola University Chicago vs. Carleton College comparison
Loyola University Chicago Carleton College College 3 College 4
Loyola University Chicago Carleton College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Loyola Carleton College
Location Chicago, IL Northfield, MN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 16,899 2,059
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #223 #39
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website luc.edu carleton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Loyola Carleton College
Tuition (In State) $48,100 $62,244
Tuition (Out of State) $48,100 $62,244
Room & Board $15,520 $15,990
Avg Net Price $37,511 $31,494
Avg Grant Aid $26,796 $46,821
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 60%

Admission

Loyola Carleton College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 40,909 8,583
Admitted 32,379 1,427
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 16.6%
Enrolled % 8.8% 37.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.9
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 27/31 32/35
SAT Range 1180/1370 1430/1550
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Loyola Carleton College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Physical Sciences (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (6%)

Outcomes

Loyola Carleton College
Graduation Rate 70% 93%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,800 $65,600
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 92%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $201

Diversity

Loyola Carleton College
% Men 31% 50%
% Women 69% 50%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 63%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 14% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 10%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Loyola Carleton College
% In-State 45% 17%
% Out-of-State 42% 73%

Campus

Loyola Carleton College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Loyola University Chicago is larger than than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (16,899 students vs. 2,059 students)

Loyola vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Carleton College?

  • Carleton College is 29.4% more expensive to attend than Loyola for in-state tuition ($62,244.00 vs. $48,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.4% higher at Carleton College than Loyola University Chicago ($62,244.00 vs. $48,100.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carleton College than Loyola ($31,494 vs. $37,511)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loyola University Chicago are 3% lower than costs at Carleton College ($15,520 vs. $15,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than Carleton College (99% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 74.7% larger than aid received Loyola University Chicago ($46,821 vs. $26,796)

Loyola vs. Carleton College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Carleton College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Carleton College or Loyola .

  • The average SAT score at Carleton College (1400) is 205 points higher than at Loyola (1195)
  • Incoming Carleton College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Loyola (27)
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Loyola (3.71)
  • Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (79.1%) than Carleton College (16.6%)

Loyola vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Loyola or Carleton College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Carleton College and Loyola.

  • The graduation rate at Carleton College is higher than Loyola University Chicago (93% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Carleton College earn on average $5,800 more per year than Loyola graduates after ten years. ($65,600 vs. $59,800)
  • Carleton College students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Loyola graduates. ($19,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Carleton College graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Loyola graduates. ($201 vs. $258)
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/