Loyola vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 15,414 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Loyola vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois University than Loyola ($14,243 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 16.8% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($14,160 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 305.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $40,462 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 305.4% higher at Loyola than at Northern Illinois University (about $40,462 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago as at Northern Illinois University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 100.3% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($28,816 vs. $14,387).

Loyola vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Northern Illinois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northern Illinois and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 210 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Loyola students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Loyola vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Northern Illinois? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,141 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

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.