Loyola vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 17,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Loyola vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern University than Loyola ($26,830 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loyola University Chicago are 19.5% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,010 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $14,612 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Northwestern than at Loyola University Chicago (about $14,612 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at Northwestern University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 123.6% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($64,429 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Loyola vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $30,000 more per year than Loyola graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $5,622 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($19,378 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($200 vs. $258).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.