Loyola University Chicago
#9 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 75% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $71,530 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $36,079 F
- 111% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.8 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Biology Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $12.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,701,077.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 75% more than the national college median.
-
A 75% graduation rate — 31% above the national average.
-
Social mobility rate of 3.08% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $12.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Loyola University Chicago Matters
Loyola University Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 11,737
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Loyola University Chicago
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1360. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $36,079 a year after grants and scholarships — 111% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $71,530 ten years after enrolling — 75% above the typical college, against $24,157 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 10% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Loyola University Chicago enrolls over 11,700 students, making it a vibrant community in the heart of Chicago. The acceptance rate stands at 82%, welcoming a diverse range of applicants. This accessibility is paired with a graduation rate of 75%, indicating a solid commitment to student success.
Graduates from Loyola earn a median salary of $71,530 ten years after enrollment, reflecting strong career outcomes in fields like business, health professions, and social sciences. While specific mobility data isn't available, the university's focus on practical programs suggests pathways for upward economic mobility.
Attending Loyola comes with a net price of $36,079 and a median debt of $24,157, which is manageable compared to many private institutions. Students who thrive here are often those interested in a collaborative environment with a focus on service and social justice. The diverse academic offerings cater well to students aiming for impactful careers in various sectors.
Rankings
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois
- #11 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- #21 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
- #22 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #22 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- #22 Best Psychology Colleges in Illinois
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Criminal Justice
Can I Get In?
How selective Loyola University Chicago is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Loyola University Chicago? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Loyola University Chicago admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,297. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1297
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1170–1360
- ACT Range
- 27–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,515
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 40,909
- Admitted
- 32,379
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Loyola University Chicago is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 8% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 8%
- of admits enroll
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Loyola University Chicago? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Loyola University Chicago is $53,710, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,079. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,992 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,157 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $53,710
- Out-of-State
- $53,710
- Avg Net Price
- $36,079
- Median Debt
- $24,157
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $28,992
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $28,663
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $32,432
- Family Income $110K+
- $42,346
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Loyola University Chicago — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Loyola University Chicago Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $71,530, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $58,411
- 8 Years
- $66,297
- 10 Years
- $71,530
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,583)
- 69%
- 100% (1,583)
- 69%
- 100% (1,583)
- 69%
- 100% (1,583)
- 69%
How Loyola Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Loyola University Chicago Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Loyola University Chicago delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,079/year ($144,316 total). Graduates earn $71,530 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,845,393 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,701,077 (12.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,157, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 75% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $144,316
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,845,393
- Net Return
- $1,701,077
- ROI Multiple
- 12.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $36,079
- Median Debt
- $24,157
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Loyola University Chicago Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Loyola University Chicago is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.08%, among the highest in the country. About 8.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.08%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,963
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-85,446,883
Top Programs
The fields Loyola University Chicago awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $78,455 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 14% $34,681 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $78,652 early-career
- Psychology 9% $31,115 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $32,217 early-career
- Communications 6% $43,355 early-career
- Criminal Justice 4% $42,720 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $61,913 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Loyola University Chicago's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Loyola University Chicago? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Loyola University Chicago admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,297. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Loyola University Chicago? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Loyola University Chicago is $53,710, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,079. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,992 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,157 in federal student loans.
Is Loyola University Chicago Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $71,530, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Loyola University Chicago Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Loyola University Chicago is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.08%, among the highest in the country. About 8.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Loyola University Chicago? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Loyola University Chicago. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Loyola University Chicago offer Early Decision?
No. Loyola University Chicago does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Loyola University Chicago?
About 8% of admitted students choose to enroll at Loyola University Chicago — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Loyola University Chicago.
- DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer69% grad $68,751 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY · Close peer67% grad $69,571 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · Close peer70% grad $76,571 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer78% grad $84,648 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham, NH · Close peer76% grad $66,479 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of DenverDenver, CO · Close peer77% grad $71,155 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Loyola University Chicago? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Loyola University Chicago. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note