Loyola vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Loyola vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Grinnell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grinnell College than Loyola ($34,363 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 1% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($16,842 vs. $17,010).
• Grinnell College is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $14,396 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at Grinnell than at Loyola University Chicago (about $14,396 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at Grinnell College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 70.3% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($49,077 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Grinnell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Grinnell and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 210 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Loyola vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Grinnell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $11,830 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($13,170 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($136 vs. $258).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.