Loyola vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

Loyola vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or St. Mary's 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 Saint Mary's College than Loyola ($27,865 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 16.2% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($14,260 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's College (about $480 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Loyola than at Saint Mary's College (about $480 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 34.5% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($38,748 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 40 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at St. Mary's College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

Loyola vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.