Loyola University Chicago

loyola_chicago.md

Loyola University Chicago

Admissions (Class of 2029 / Fall 2025)

• Total applicants: 39,315
• Overall acceptance rate: 82%
• Early round: EA available — non-binding; no significant rate differential
• Class size: ~2,763
• Yield: 9%

Academics

• SAT middle 50%: 1170-1350
• ACT middle 50%: 25-31
• Avg unweighted GPA: 3.70 (estimated)
• Top 10% of HS class: ~25% (estimated)
• Testing policy: Test-optional (only 23% submitted SAT, 15% submitted ACT)

Demographics

• Women: 71%, Asian: 10%, Black: 5%, Hispanic: 18%, White: 48%, International: 4%

Financial Aid / Net Cost

Athletics

332 varsity athletes (~2.6% of undergrads). NCAA Division I, Atlantic 10 Conference (joined 2022; formerly Missouri Valley). 11 varsity sports.

Notable

Loyola Chicago is a Jesuit university with a strong emphasis on social justice and service learning, located on Chicago's lakefront. The school gained national visibility after its 2018 Final Four basketball run (with Sister Jean). High acceptance rate and generous merit aid make it an accessible safety, though the skewed gender ratio (71% women) is notable for simulation purposes. The 91% financial aid rate and strong Chicago internship pipeline add to its appeal.

Community Insights (Reddit/Forums)

Admissions Strategy

• 82% acceptance rate with EA available; no significant rate differential for early applicants
• Test-optional with very low submission rates (23% SAT, 15% ACT), suggesting the school has fully de-emphasized testing
• Forums describe Loyola as a straightforward safety, especially for Midwest students interested in a Jesuit education
• The school gained national visibility after its 2018 Final Four basketball run (with Sister Jean), which boosted application volume

Campus Culture & Fit

• Jesuit mission emphasizing "cura personalis" (care for the whole person) and social justice is central to the identity
• Beautiful lakefront campus on Lake Michigan; students describe a blend of urban convenience and natural beauty
• 71% women enrollment is a notable demographic skew that forums discuss — social dynamics differ from gender-balanced schools
• Party scene is described as minimal; Greek life exists but doesn't dominate
• Students praise professors as high-caliber and supportive, aligned with Jesuit values of mentorship
• Chicago location provides strong internship pipeline, especially in business, healthcare, and social services

Financial Aid Reputation

• 91% of students receive financial aid; merit scholarships available but not at the transformative level of Alabama
• Cost concerns persist — some students feel the financial aid system could be more supportive despite high aid rates
• Net cost ($29K-$39K across income brackets) is significant; forums question whether the Jesuit experience justifies the price
• Advisors are described by some students as unhelpful, which can affect degree completion and financial planning

Simulation-Relevant Takeaways

• Very low yield (9%) is the lowest in the dataset — reflects Loyola's role as a safety/backup that most admitted students don't attend
• The 71% women skew is a unique demographic feature; Jesuit mission self-selects a specific student type
• For modeling: Loyola's demand is driven by Jesuit identity, Chicago location, and merit aid; the extremely low yield suggests most applicants are casting a wide net

Sources

• Loyola University Chicago CDS (luc.edu/oira)
• College Factual net price data
• AcceptanceRate.com
• LUC Fast Facts page
• CollegeTuitionCompare.com