UChicago vs. Loyola vs. DePaul vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 17,384 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

UChicago vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Loyola? 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 University of Chicago than Loyola ($28,060 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loyola University Chicago are 15.4% lower than at University of Chicago ($17,010 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $16,952 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at UChicago than at Loyola University Chicago (about $16,952 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Chicago (98% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 116.2% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($62,300 vs. $28,816).

UChicago vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or Loyola? 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 Loyola and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 280 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Chicago 34/35; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Loyola - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman UChicago students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

UChicago vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Loyola? 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.

• University of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $38,700 more per year than Loyola graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($14,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($149 vs. $258).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.