Loyola Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Chicago, IL
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Loyola Admission Overview
Loyola admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Loyola admitted 81.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.71 GPA (A-) and SAT 1170-1360 / ACT 27-32. Loyola is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Loyola is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Loyola Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Loyola University Chicago
Acceptance Rate
The Loyola acceptance rate is 81.6%. Last year, 32,081 of 39,315 applicants were admitted. That is the 36th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Loyola and can you get accepted?
Loyola is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Loyola University Chicago typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.71. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Loyola GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.71Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.71
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Loyola typically have around a 3.71 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Loyola is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
40% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #11 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Loyola Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Loyola University Chicago is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You may include ACT or SAT scores or apply without them. Loyola superscores by reviewing the highest subscore from each section across exams and recommends sharing all results if you submit scores. Students may self-report scores; if you are admitted and included scores, official reports from the testing agency are due by May 1.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.luc.edu/undergrad/admissions/first-yearstudents/
Loyola SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1170-1360Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
23%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 570
- Composite 1170
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 690
- Math 670
- Composite 1360
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Loyola typically score around a 1270 SAT (middle 50% 1170–1360) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 85th percentile nationally. Loyola ranks #8 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1170 to 1360
SAT policy
Loyola is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Loyola ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
27-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
15%25th Percentile Scores
- English 27
- Math 24
- Composite 27
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 29
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Loyola typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Loyola places #7 among colleges in Illinois and #171 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Loyola without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
61% of Loyola University Chicago freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 29% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Loyola chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Loyola University Chicago and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Loyola University Chicago is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Loyola is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 81.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.71 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1170-1360); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Loyola University Chicago often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=146719.
GPA calculator: Loyola University Chicago GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026