Loyola vs. NKU

Should I go to Loyola University Chicago or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Loyola or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Loyola University Chicago vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Loyola University Chicago Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Loyola University Chicago Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Loyola NKU
Location Chicago, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,899 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #223 #805
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website luc.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Loyola NKU
Tuition (In State) $48,100 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $48,100 $20,464
Room & Board $15,520 $11,248
Avg Net Price $37,511 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $26,796 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Loyola NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 40,909 6,905
Admitted 32,379 5,939
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 86%
Enrolled % 8.8% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/31 19/25
SAT Range 1180/1370 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Loyola NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Loyola NKU
Graduation Rate 70% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,800 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

Loyola NKU
% Men 31% 36%
% Women 69% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 14% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Loyola NKU
% In-State 45% 66%
% Out-of-State 42% 26%

Campus

Loyola NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Loyola University Chicago is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,899 students vs. 15,801 students)

Loyola vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or NKU?

  • Loyola University Chicago is 371.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($48,100.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 135% higher at Loyola than Northern Kentucky University ($48,100.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Loyola ($7,259 vs. $37,511)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 38% lower than costs at Loyola University Chicago ($11,248 vs. $15,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 137.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($26,796 vs. $11,275)

Loyola vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Loyola .

  • The average SAT score at Loyola University Chicago (1195) is 127 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Loyola students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Loyola (79.1%)

Loyola vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Loyola or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and Loyola.

  • The graduation rate at Loyola is higher than Northern Kentucky University (70% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn on average $20,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Loyola graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Loyola graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/