Loyola vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Loyola vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Loyola ($26,756 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.9% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($13,630 vs. $17,010).
• St Olaf College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $6,050 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at St Olaf than at Loyola University Chicago (about $6,050 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 56.5% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($45,098 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 120 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loyola vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,700), 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 Olaf graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.