Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago, Illinois
81.4% Acceptance Rate
Loyola University Chicago — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.4%Acceptance Rate
3.71Avg GPA
1283Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$64,167Annual Cost
$71,530Grad Salary
23.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.4%
Avg GPA
3.71
Avg SAT
1283
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1160–1340
ACT Middle 50%
27–31
Need-Based Aid
23.2% receive Pell
Loyola University Chicago is a private, Catholic, Jesuit research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and the development of the whole person. With a strong focus on the liberal arts and professional preparation, the university fosters an environment that encourages critical thinking, leadership, and social responsibility. Its emphasis on preparing students for lives of meaning and impact makes it a premier choice for a values-centered education.
Loyola University Chicago Acceptance Rate
Loyola University Chicago maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 81.4%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.26
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Loyola University Chicago Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Loyola University Chicago is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 103 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 20
Spring Freshman
November 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Loyola University Chicago GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Loyola University Chicago is 3.71. Loyola University Chicago is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.91-4.11 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.41 and 3.71, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
Loyola University Chicago GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at Loyola University Chicago utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.71, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.31 – 3.50
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.30
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- John Felice Rome Center (Loyola's own Italy campus, founded 1962) requires a 2.75+ GPA maintained through the prior semester; multiple outstanding incompletes are prohibited, and a single incomplete triggers a mandatory appeal process
- Honors Program admits both invited incoming freshmen and current students who've completed two or three semesters; requires 27 honors credit hours (9 courses) and a 3.33+ overall GPA to graduate with honors, with modified requirements/timelines for Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Social Work majors
- Honors Program offers no dedicated scholarships or financial aid of its own; the separate Ricci Scholars Study Abroad Program funds a junior-year research semester at the Rome Center, with proposals due as early as sophomore year
- General first-year admission requires a letter of recommendation; the personal essay is recommended but not strictly required, and test scores are test-optional but considered if submitted
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Loyola University Chicago
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Loyola University Chicago's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Loyola University Chicago Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Loyola University Chicago Without SAT or ACT?
Loyola University Chicago considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Loyola University Chicago Average SAT Score: 1283
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Loyola University Chicago is 1283 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1283 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1283 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Loyola University Chicago allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1160, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Loyola University Chicago. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 615 | 570 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 590 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1283 | 1160 | 1340 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1160 then you are below most of the admitted students at Loyola University Chicago and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1340 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Loyola University Chicago with a 1350 SAT?
With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Loyola University Chicago are good but the admission staff at Loyola University Chicago tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Loyola University Chicago ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Loyola University Chicago is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This score makes Loyola University Chicago Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 29 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 30 | 26 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Can I get into Loyola University Chicago with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Loyola University Chicago — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Loyola University Chicago use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Loyola University Chicago — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Loyola University Chicago uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 31 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Loyola University Chicago
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Loyola University Chicago is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
If a semester abroad matters, build a GPA buffer well before the John Felice Rome Center application - incompletes can derail it entirely
Loyola's signature John Felice Rome Center (its own Italy campus, founded 1962) requires a 2.75+ cumulative GPA maintained through the semester immediately before studying abroad, and explicitly prohibits attending with multiple outstanding incomplete grades - a single pending incomplete from the prior semester triggers a mandatory appeal to the Associate Dean's office. A student planning to study at the Rome Center should resolve any incomplete coursework a full semester ahead of departure rather than assuming it will sort itself out, since the appeal process adds real uncertainty to an otherwise-planned semester.
Apply to the Honors Program as a current student if you didn't get the invitation as an incoming freshman - it's not a one-time-only door
Unlike Honors programs that only admit incoming freshmen, Loyola's Honors Program explicitly allows current students who've completed two or three semesters to apply for admission alongside the invitation-based incoming-freshman track. A student who wasn't invited into Honors upon admission, but who performs strongly in their first year, should actively apply rather than assuming Honors membership was a single missed opportunity at matriculation.
If pursuing Education, Engineering, Nursing, or Social Work within Honors, know the program structure is modified specifically for these majors
Loyola's Honors Program (27 credit hours / 9 courses, 3.33+ GPA to graduate with honors) explicitly carves out modified requirements for Education, Nursing, and Social Work majors, including permission to complete the HONR 301 Capstone in the second semester of junior year rather than the standard timeline - a structural accommodation for these professionally-licensed, sequence-heavy majors. A student in one of these fields should request the modified Honors curriculum plan directly from the Honors office rather than following the generic Honors timeline meant for liberal arts majors.
Don't expect Honors-specific financial aid - pursue the Ricci Scholars Program or general scholarships separately
Loyola's Honors Program explicitly states it does not currently offer its own scholarships or financial aid; instead, Honors students seeking funding should pursue separate opportunities like the Ricci Scholars Study Abroad Program (which funds a junior year of research at the Rome Center, with research proposals due as early as sophomore year) or the university's general scholarship pool. A student assuming Honors membership itself unlocks dedicated funding should pursue these other named, separate opportunities proactively instead.
Expert Insight:
A common misunderstanding is treating Loyola's relatively high overall acceptance rate (cited in the 77-82% range across sources) as evidence that every distinctive Loyola opportunity - Honors, the Rome Center, named merit scholarships like Gannon Scholars - carries similarly low barriers. Each of these runs its own separate, more selective application and GPA-maintenance requirements layered on top of general admission, and a strong general applicant shouldn't assume any of these are automatic.
Loyola University Chicago Profile
Full Name
Loyola University Chicago
City
Chicago
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60660
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Loyola University Chicago Degree Worth It?
Getting into Loyola University Chicago can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Loyola University Chicago offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Loyola University Chicago is $76,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.23%.
How much does a degree from Loyola University Chicago Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Loyola University Chicago is $64,167. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Loyola University Chicago is much less than this.
23.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 47.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Loyola University Chicago and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Loyola University Chicago, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Loyola University Chicago as your choice in the form.
How much does a Loyola University Chicago Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $71,530. An average Loyola University Chicago graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Loyola University Chicago. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Loyola University Chicago. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Loyola University Chicago. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Loyola University Chicago
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Loyola University Chicago Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $71,530 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $64,167 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
23.2% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of Loyola University Chicago is 81.4% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.71. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.41, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.41, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.31 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.71, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Loyola University Chicago is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1283 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1160–1340.
The application deadline for Loyola University Chicago is November 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
The scholarship priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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