Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago. is a Private college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 11,129 full time undergraduate students, and 5,293 full time graduate students.
The Loyola University Chicago Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 799 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Loyola University Chicago include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
72%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
0
SAT Range
1030-1260
ACT Range
24-29
Admissions at LUC are considered Selective, with ,106% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
94% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 69% were in the top quarter, and 35% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Loyola University Chicago.
2%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
17%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
22%
“I only go out in groups”
47%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
28%
“I feel extremely safe”
49%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
34%
“We bought the gear”
17%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
21%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
53%
“They keep regular office hours”
40%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
60%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
28%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
51%
“We only party on weekends”
11%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
67%
“There might be people who do”
25%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
17%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
22%
“I only go out in groups”
47%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
28%
“I feel extremely safe”
49%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
34%
“We bought the gear”
17%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
21%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
53%
“They keep regular office hours”
40%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
60%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
28%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
262 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
208 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
277 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
288 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
288 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
288 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
288 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 57 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
288 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
Loyola University Chicago REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Loyola University Chicago?
116 Students rated Loyola University Chicago
Rowen
Prospective04/09/2025
The campus is beyond beautiful, especially their environmental studies areas. There is also a dog which makes everything better. The student attitude is of hard work with casual play, nothing party heavy or crazy, which is exactly what I wanted. While it is a Catholic school, the religious element was never pushy or unwelcoming.
Nayeli
Prospective04/06/2025
What attracts me to Loyola University Chicago is the beautiful Lakeshore campus. Also they are an academic school which is a very big "plus" for me. I have visited campus a few times and I always pictured myself at this school. The school is a "just right" size for me and it is close to the city of Chicago!
Isabella
Prospective04/06/2025
I love the campus and research opportunities available.
Zachary
College04/06/2025
Loyola University Chicago is definitely the right spot for me to chase my academic and personal goals. Being able to work towards my Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) has been my main focus these last few years.
The campus is awesome! It is right on Lake Michigan. Lakeshore campus provides an inspiring place to learn and grow as a person. Plus, Loyola is a big Jesuit university, and that is important for me. Coming from a Jesuit high school like St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, California, I appreciate attending a university that shares Jesuit values. "Cura personalis" is a Latin phrase wich means "care for the individual person.” My teachers here at Loyola Chicago respect every student’s unique circumstances, needs and gifts.
Loyola's campus life is also a big part of why I enjoy the school. Being part of the club basketball team and intramurals keeps me active. My leadership role in my fraternity is also important to me because it is giving me the tools to be a future leader.
The teachers really care about every student. Learning from supportive and dedicated professors makes a huge difference in my experience. I recommend Loyola University Chicago to anyone looking for a solid college experience.
Holly
Prospective04/06/2025
Loyola is a very unique school all together, from its diversity to curriculum but what most attracts me is the social work program’s 5 year program and its field work. The 5 year program is a program that allows aspiring therapists to gain their license in 5 years instead of 6-7. The program funnels in students who are already attending right into their certification program so there is no need to reapply to return to the program. This is so unlike other schools that make students reapply and go back for a number of years. It’s only one year more at Loyola. Making it easier but also more affordable to get a license and begin practicing. The field work part of the program is amazing too. It’s important now more than ever to not only have experience but also connections in the social work field in order to find a job. So the fact that Loyola is offering such a thing INSIDE their curriculum is outstanding. Students are able to apply themselves to their studies and at the same time get experience outside. Loyola Chicago is so different from schools I’ve looked at and I hope I’ll be able to attend.
Adrian
11/28/2024
Loyola is a beautiful college and has a beautiful Campus. Not just this but what surprised me the most was how the professors are so friendly and the students there were amazing that day I went to the Loyola open house. Next to the view of a lake makes it more awesome I can't wait to study or read my books facing that lake.
Erika
08/08/2024
Loyola University, specifically the lakeshore campus, is relatively peaceful and scenic. The academic opportunities and connections are top-tier. Where the institution falls short is the food; the variety is great, but the quality is not always there. However, the wide variety of clubs and events far outweigh the lackluster aspects; and the lakefront view will always be unbeatable!
Sabrina
04/14/2024
Overall, Loyola University Chicago really is a great school. The classroom sizes are relatively small, allowing you to connect with and easily reach your professor when necessary. The campus is beautiful, and there is always an event going on, so you're never bored. Everyone is very welcoming, and you will bond with people. And the neighboring stores and restaurants offer a variety of things.
Zoe
11/09/2023
My personal opinion on Loyola University Chicago is that it is by far a beautiful campus. It is located in the Rodgers Park area, which can become a little unsafe around the evening hours of the day. The academics here are amazing and the school has a graduation rate above 50%. The school offers many opportunities for student involvement, and has extremely well athletics. It is a Jesuit, private institution, but it is extremely inclusive to peoples religions and beliefs. The school provides services for those who are willing to attend, and it tries its best to make everyone feel at home.
Isaiah
03/26/2023
I think that Loyola is a great school for students who want to live city life with a community of like-minded people who care about social justice. It's a beautiful campus with many research opportunities and lots of food options. It also gives amazing benefits and the admissions process is straightforward.
Emma
03/14/2023
I love it here! The campus is beautiful and this is just the environment I want to be in. It has the perfect in the city but not in the city feeling. I am very happy that I chose to go here. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the campus feels very safe.
Laura
02/19/2023
Loyola University Chicago is an overall good school. While it has had various issues and controversies, the students who fight make it all worth it. Life on-campus is generally very active, and you'll never find a dull moment. There are a number of facilities, clubs, and activities that are available.
Arturo
11/18/2021
Prestigious
Dominic
08/20/2021
Loyola is everything that I wanted to get out of my college experience. I wanted a Jesuit institution, a big city, a campus, division I sports, medium-sized, greek life, and a strong pre-law program. It was also the best of both worlds in a sense. There is a traditional college campus on the north side of Chicago and a campus in downtown Chicago to go along with it to give you a truly urban-campus experience. Personally, this school was quite honestly the perfect fit for me. But, I know that this is not the case for everyone. There are certain types of people that will love this school like me and others who will feel the exact opposite. I think the biggest thing to keep in mind about Loyola is that it is not the typical state school experience. There are no huge football games, going out on Tuesday's, or large fraternity houses. If you want that experience, you will soon find that this is not the place for that. Rather, Loyola students are typically casual fans of the basketball team, study hard during the week, and play hard on and off campus on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The next biggest tip about Loyola is that you HAVE to be somewhat of a social person to enjoy your time here. I noticed that the students that transferred out early or did not enjoy their time as much are the one's that had a very small group of friends, did not go out on the weekends, and generally preferred to keep to themselves. It is most beneficial for a prospective student to hear it bluntly; the biggest draw to Chicago as a college student is that it is known as a party city, and rightly so. If you do not want to go experience the bars and clubs in the city, explore all of the neighborhoods the city has to offer, and readily go find stuff to do on the weekends, this school is not for you. This is important because I remember reading reviews for Loyola as a high schooler and seeing constant reviews saying that there isn't really a party/drinking culture at LUC. Those reviews may be true in that the campus in Rogers Park does not have parties going on around every block. But, I can tell you that the majority of students here definitely head downtown on Saturday nights and the fraternities (though there are few of them) do throw sizable parties on campus. I hope this helped you as you further your college search.
Casey
11/22/2020
I am in love with Loyola in Chicago! The campus is absolutely gorgeous and extremely safe! There is a view of the lake everywhere you look and the water tower campus is surrounded by top brand stores and people going up and down the streets constantly. I am a freshman and am sadly experiencing Zoom University but when I stepped foot on campus the first time, Loyola felt like home. I was so comfortable and the dorm buildings I visited were so clean and comfortable and I was so excited to move in. The facilities are large and diverse, catering to a variety of people and their interests. It's a very accepting and diverse community of people who attend the school and all the professors I have interacted with so far are so kind and accomodating and helpful despite our technological barriers. To know that I have a wonderful academic support system when I move out of my suburban home and into the city is so encouraging and motivating. My motivation has been struggling and so has my engagement with these conditions. But I hope to be more engaged and adaptive to my situation which may continue for a lot longer than welcome to. The staff at Loyola is one you can fall back on and learn from as you begin to manage your future. I am a person who has many things happen to them spontaneously and my professors are so understanding and allow me to turn in late work and give me those blessed extensions.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Loyola University Chicago is 72%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Dear Anna,
If I can go back to the past, I would tell my self to get involved more. I commute to college and socializing on campus can be a bit of a challenge. I have made four close friends and joined a club. However, I should have communicated more with my professors. They are understated resources. You need them for your internship, scholarship, fellowship, and graduate school applications. If you interact with professors, you not only get a reference but you also learn so much from them! Some professors can give you access to internships and scholarships. They have doctorate's in their degrees therefore feel free to ask away! That is why you are a student to ask and develop. Therefore, do not be shy and remember that most professors will love to schedule a meeting with you to talk about your homework and your aspirations.
Sincerely,
Anna Z.
The best way to describe Loyola is as a "good" school. It's not fantastic or terrible, it is just good. Loyola is not in a college town as it is surrounded by Rogers Park, which is not the best of neighborhoods. The school pride is pretty low because we lack a football team to rally behind and our basketball team is quite bad. Besides that Loyola is an alright school except for all of the construction.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Loyola is a Chicago school in a vibrant city atomsphere with plenty of urban resources at its disposal. Loyola is a Jesuit, Catholic University built of students who want to achieve.
The classes vary greatly at Loyola and it is all dependent upon the teacher you receive. A great teacher can make any subject fun and exciting to learn. Loyola does have a few of these teachers if you are lucky enough to have them. Besides that the classes are pretty standard when the teachers aren't as impressive. Mostly tests and essays.
Loyola is heavy on civil rights, justice, sevice and the improvement in life of all individuals. Much of the energy in the school is focused on helping other people, and utilizing personal talents in succeeding and then applying them in productive manner that can help other people. Education extends beyond the classroom to include a unique human element that creates a constant reminder of the world you live in and the human connection.
Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
As a Jesuit university, it is not surprising that a little over half of Loyola?s student body is Catholic. However, the school prides itself as a ?home for all faiths? and has high religious activity outside of Catholicism. There is a strong presence of Hillel, and Loyola also has a student Mosque and Puja prayer room. I am not extremely religious, but I have always felt accepted and never felt pressure or discomfort due to Loyola?s Catholic tradition.
As for the highly unattractive female student body, I would have to say this is pretty harsh! Maybe the guys want to make themselves feel better because they still can?t find a girlfriend when the student body is approximately 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} female! In other instances, I?ve met happy males who enjoy having almost a full classroom of girls.
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
From an insider's perspective, it's easy to see what the views of our students are...that they are from Illinois (the suburbs, mostly), they are middle or upper class, and they are poster children for Urban Outfitters.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing about my school is the enormous amounts of requirements for the CORE Curriculum Program. There are many programs that should not even be required. Also, the CORE requirements are not all exactly basic-level courses, so it is easy for some one majoring in a science to get stressed out. If you come to Loyola, make sure to stay on top of registration to get the best classes.
People who are looking to attend a relatively diverse school just 20 minutes away from downtown Chicago who are also looking for somewhat of an academic challenge as well as a very accepting atmosphere even with older students.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A person who is not interested in the welfare of the community in which they live in whether it be their home town or the global commmunity, should not attend loyola university. Even if you feel like you've had no place in a community, once you enter Loyola University, it puts you on the forefront of the issues and promotes your involvement. Loyola University is wonderful place for a person of a caring nature and with strong ideals for a better future.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
I hadn't heard any stereotypes about Loyola students until I came here, but my first impression is that they were a lot of aspiring doctors from well off families. There are a lot of pre-med students and statistically they make more money than the families in my home town, but it is not a snobby rich kid school.
Loyola gives GREAT scholarships, and that was my #1 reason to go. I got the Presidential Scholarship, which is 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} off of tuition. You don't need the highest GPA or ACT score to get this. You can get it with about 3.5 GPA and about 28 on your ACT as long as you have a good essay and some extracurriculars to show off.
Loyola is also in Chicago, which is a city bustling with life and opportunities for growth, learning, and having fun! Lots of museums, parks, different areas to explore, bars, restaurants, lounges, theaters, and organizations to get involved with!
I didn't want to live in the cornfields, so I picked Loyola because it's not exactly downtown, so it still has somewhat of a college-town feel, but it's close enough where you can escape and be a Chicagoan
This shot is from the Loyola Rambler Room. It is basically a pay cafeteria not unlike a dining hall, but the food is much better! As you can see, it’s a busy busy place!
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
96% of students attending Loyola University Chicago receive some sort of financial aid.
25% were awarded federal grants.61%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.