CSU vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Loras College in Dubuque, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Loras College 12:1.

CSU vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Loras College? 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 Chicago State University than Loras College ($10,441 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 4.8% lower than at Chicago State University ($11,000 vs. $11,550).
• Loras College is 212.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $27,070 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 212.2% higher at Loras College than at Chicago State University (about $27,070 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 58.5% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($28,835 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Loras College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Loras College and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Loras College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

CSU vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Loras College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loras College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Loras College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 25%)

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.