Loyola vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Loyola vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky than Loyola ($21,958 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 5.8% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($16,016 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 297.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $40,208 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.3% higher at Loyola than at University of Kentucky (about $19,570 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Kentucky (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 123.4% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($28,816 vs. $12,898).

Loyola vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Kentucky? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kentucky and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 90 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Loyola students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Loyola (81.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Loyola vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Kentucky? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($235 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 62%)

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.