Chicago, IL · Private University
Is Loyola University Chicago Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,530
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$51,716
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,716
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$206,864
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
76.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,157
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$35,196
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Loyola University Chicago graduates earn $26,530 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Loyola University Chicago ranked by graduate earnings
103 graduates
112 graduates
64 graduates
46 graduates
603 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Loyola University Chicago
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Loyola University Chicago, the gap between the highest-earning major (Management Information Systems and Services: $92,499) and the lowest (Radio, Television, and Digital Communication: $26,227) is $66,272/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and ServicesBest ROI | $92,499 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $84,622 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,642 | 1.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $81,155 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,492 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $73,410 | 1.4x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $73,098 | 1.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $68,950 | 1.3x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $68,020 | 1.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $61,200 | 1.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $60,325 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,590 | 1.1x |
| History | $58,572 | 1.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,763 | 1.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $56,347 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $55,652 | 1.1x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $55,496 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $54,098 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $52,586 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $51,590 | 1.0x |
| Security Science and Technology(1yr data) | $51,202 | 1.0x |
| Journalism | $49,526 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,822 | 0.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $47,319 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,679 | 0.9x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $45,869 | 0.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,751 | 0.8x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $26,977 | 0.5x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $26,251 | 0.5x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationLowest(1yr data) | $26,227 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University Chicago | 1.38x | $71,530 | Average ROI |
| Marquette University | 1.61x | $78,257 | Good ROI |
| University of St Thomas | 1.41x | $73,739 | Average ROI |
| Duquesne University | 1.58x | $74,742 | Good ROI |
| DePaul University | 1.55x | $68,751 | Good ROI |
| Seton Hall University | 1.37x | $70,196 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Loyola University Chicago delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $71,530 10 years after starting — $26,530 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.