Loyola University Chicago

With 80+ majors, Loyola's academic identity orbits around health sciences (nursing is the #1 major), business, and biology, though its Jesuit core curriculum mandates that 40% of coursework fulfills liberal arts requirements—a pain point for some students. The university emphasizes undergraduate research, with strengths in neuroscience and environmental science. Class sizes skew small (57% under 20 students), and the 4-year graduation rate hovers at 72%, slightly below peer institutions. Pre-professional advising for law and medicine is robust, leveraging Chicago's hospital networks.

Life at Loyola splits between its leafy Lake Shore campus and Chicago's urban playground. Only 43% of students live on campus, with many migrating to Rogers Park apartments after freshman year. Social scenes revolve around club-hosted events (a cappella after-parties, dorm gatherings) rather than Greek life. The school leans commuter-friendly, with students praising the 'good people' but noting the need to 'find your crew.' Service opportunities—a Jesuit hallmark—anchor campus culture, while Division I basketball (Go Ramblers!) rallies school spirit. The Instagrammable lakeshore location means winter winds are brutal but summers are sublime.

Loyola delivers strong post-grad traction: 99.5% of graduates are employed, in grad school, or serving within six months, with 73% staying in Chicago. Early-career salaries average $45,000 (median $36,427 at one year, rising to $57,089), though nursing and business majors outearn peers. The university touts a top 2% ROI ranking long-term, aided by its alumni network in Chicago's corporate and hospital systems. Graduate school placement is solid, particularly for law and health professions.

At $37,592 net price (after average aid), Loyola isn't cheap, but 96% of students receive aid, with packages averaging $28,816–$47,000. Merit scholarships are plentiful—even for mid-range students—and the university meets 95% of demonstrated need. Still, 69% take loans, and the sticker price ($58,000+) gives pause. The financial aid office gets mixed reviews for transparency, though the net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps families model costs.

Loyola Chicago carves a niche as the accessible Jesuit option with urban muscle—less stuffy than Boston College, more rooted than DePaul. Its healthcare pipeline (partnering with 10+ Chicago hospitals) and business co-ops exploit the city's resources, while the lakeside campus offers respite. The core curriculum ensures all graduates wrestle with ethics and social justice, but the real differentiator is location: students can intern at United Airlines by day and catch a Cubs game by night. For Midwesterners seeking a private school safety with Chicago cachet, Loyola delivers.