UIC vs. Loyola vs. Illinois vs. Purdue

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois 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 Illinois Chicago is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 17,384 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

UIC vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than Loyola ($10,852 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Chicago are 3% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($16,500 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 274.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $39,372 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at Loyola than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $23,826 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Illinois Chicago (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 72% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($28,816 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 30 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 28 at UIC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Loyola - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Loyola students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

UIC vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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.

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Loyola graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 68%)

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.