Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Loyola University Chicago at a Glance
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1870 by the Society of Jesus, Loyola is one of the largest Catholic universities in the United States. Its namesake is Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Loyola's professional schools include programs in medicine, nursing, and health sciences anchored by the Loyola University Medical Center, and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – V…
1870
156 years old
$1.4B
$1.37 billion (2026)
17,397
12,487 undergrad · 4,910 grad
784
45 acres
Identity
Is Loyola University Chicago Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Loyola University Chicago is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $71,530 — 33% above average — while paying $36,079/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Loyola University Chicago has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Loyola University Chicago compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 21 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | 58 | $29,689 | $86,881 |
| #3 | Marquette University | 51 | $31,487 | $78,257 |
| #4 | Gonzaga University | 49 | $35,119 | $78,892 |
| #5 | University of St Thomas | 48 | $29,155 | $73,739 |
| #6 | Drexel University | 43 | $38,509 | $84,648 |
| #13 | Loyola University Chicago | 37 | $36,079 | $71,530 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Loyola University Chicago's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at Loyola University Chicago
The highest-earning program at Loyola University Chicago is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International Relations and National Security Studies at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Loyola University Chicago earns $65,100, while a International Relations and National Security Studies graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for International Relations and National Security Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,079/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,100 | $65,100 | $25,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $64,400 | $64,400 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,900 | $60,900 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,100 | $55,100 | $24,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $54,400 | $54,400 | $23,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,300 | $50,300 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $46,200 | $46,200 | $24,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,400 | $36,400 | $25,926 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,700 | $35,700 | $23,375 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,300 | $34,300 | $24,849 |
| History | $33,900 | $33,900 | $24,106 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,800 | $28,800 | $23,875 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,300 | $28,300 | $25,500 |
| Biology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $26,000 |
| Journalism | $27,000 | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $25,700 | $25,700 | $25,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $25,300 | $25,300 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 11,737 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,079
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,530
- Median Student Debt
- $24,157