Loyola vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola University Chicago is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Loyola vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than Loyola ($16,437 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 41.3% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($9,986 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 440.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $43,774 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.4% higher at Loyola than at University of Northern Iowa (about $31,998 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Northern Iowa (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 391.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($28,816 vs. $5,865).

Loyola vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 120 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Loyola (81.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Loyola vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and UNI? 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).

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.