Loyola vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 17,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Loyola vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Loyola ($21,765 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 24% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($12,920 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 376% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $42,427 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.9% higher at Loyola than at University of Iowa (about $20,339 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Iowa (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 192.1% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($28,816 vs. $9,865).

Loyola vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 40 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Loyola (81.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Loyola vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Iowa? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates of Loyola University Chicago and Iowa have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $59,800), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

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.