Illinois vs. Loyola

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Loyola based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 17,384 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

Illinois vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Loyola? 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than Loyola ($13,973 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 14.6% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($14,522 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 235.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $37,706 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.9% higher at Loyola than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $18,586 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (98% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 49.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($28,816 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 150 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Loyola).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Loyola - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Illinois students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

Illinois vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Loyola? 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.

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Loyola graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Loyola graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.