University of San Diego vs Loyola Chicago

Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the vibrant city of San Diego or the bustling metropolis of Chicago. University of San Diego (USD) and Loyola University Chicago (LUC) stand out as two esteemed institutions offering distinct academic experiences. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while LUC's smaller student body fosters a close-knit community. Both universities excel in various disciplines, with USD excelling in business and engineering, and LUC shining in nursing and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Loyola University Chicago	University of San Diego
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	San Diego, California
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	77.0%	52.7%
Application fees		Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $45
SAT range	1160 - 1360	N/A
ACT range	27 - 32	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	23.0%
Students submitting ACT score	22.0%
Total number of applicants	37,824	14,326
Total number of admissions given out	29,117	7,550
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,867	1,166
Yield rate	9.8%	15.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$63,074	$75,982
Average net price	$29,371	$34,155
Tuition	$46,410	$52,120
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,400 Meal plan: $5,780	$16,246
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $25,854	82.0% Average amount $34,413
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,419	33.0% Average amount $5,216
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $17,984	5.0% Average amount $12,155

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,819 Men 31.8% Women 68.2%	5,702 Men 43.9% Women 56.1%
Graduate students	5,679 Men 32.1% Women 67.9%	3,339 Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	50.0%	45.5%
International students	3.3%	6.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,902	2,484
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois Michigan Minnesota California Ohio	California Washington Colorado Arizona Nevada

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Legal Profession Psychology	Legal Profession Business Education Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	72.0%	80.0%
Dropout rate	27.4%	19.5%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,817 Year 2: $220,906 Year 3: $179,958 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,218 Year 2: $97,604 Year 3: $105,174 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,836 Year 2: $87,470 Year 3: $104,925 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,863 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $88,922 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $69,345 Year 2: $65,424 Year 3: $85,807 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $59,864 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $82,913 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,124 Year 2: $61,380 Year 3: $75,618 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,063 Year 2: $66,029 Year 3: $74,558 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,529 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $70,042 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,111 Year 2: $66,195 Year 3: $69,151	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,672 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $115,744 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,123 Year 2: $89,672 Year 3: $102,690 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,786 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $98,598 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,329 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $93,985 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,367 Year 2: $73,391 Year 3: $92,346 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,417 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $84,924 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,970 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $84,277 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,809 Year 2: $61,962 Year 3: $75,083 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,424 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $72,729 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,434 Year 2: $61,069 Year 3: $72,310

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of San Diego (USD) and Loyola University Chicago (Loyola)?

The University of San Diego (USD) is a private Catholic university located in San Diego, California, known for its strong undergraduate programs, particularly in business and engineering, and its beautiful campus. Loyola University Chicago (Loyola) is a private Jesuit Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois, recognized for its strong programs in health sciences, law, and business, and its commitment to social justice. Key differences include location (California vs. Illinois), campus environment (more suburban vs. urban), and program emphasis (engineering at USD vs. health sciences at Loyola).
Which university is larger, USD or Loyola?

Loyola University Chicago is significantly larger than the University of San Diego. Loyola has a larger student body, including both undergraduate and graduate students, and a broader range of academic programs.
How do the locations of USD and Loyola impact student life?

USD's location in San Diego offers a more relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with access to beaches and a Mediterranean climate. Loyola's location in Chicago provides a vibrant urban experience with access to cultural attractions, diverse neighborhoods, and numerous internship and job opportunities. The weather is also a significant factor, with San Diego offering sunshine year-round and Chicago experiencing distinct seasons, including cold winters.
Which university is known for its strength in business programs?

Both USD and Loyola have strong business programs. USD's School of Business is well-regarded, particularly for its entrepreneurship and real estate programs. Loyola's Quinlan School of Business is also highly ranked and offers a wide range of specializations, including supply chain management and marketing. The choice depends on your specific area of interest within business.
How do the tuition costs compare between USD and Loyola?

Tuition costs at both USD and Loyola are relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private universities. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, personal expenses, and financial aid packages. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to explore available scholarships and financial aid options.
What is the campus culture like at USD versus Loyola?

USD is known for its close-knit community and beautiful, Spanish Renaissance-style campus. The campus culture is generally considered more laid-back and focused on undergraduate education. Loyola has a more diverse student body and a more urban campus environment. Its campus culture is influenced by its Jesuit values, emphasizing social justice and community engagement. Loyola also has a stronger graduate school presence, which contributes to a different campus dynamic.
Which university has a stronger emphasis on social justice?

While both universities have a commitment to service and ethical leadership, Loyola University Chicago is generally recognized for its stronger emphasis on social justice. This is deeply rooted in its Jesuit tradition and is reflected in its academic programs, research initiatives, and community outreach efforts.
What are the athletic programs like at USD and Loyola?

Both USD and Loyola offer a variety of NCAA Division I athletic programs. USD competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC), while Loyola competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. While both have competitive teams, USD's athletic programs, particularly in sports like basketball and baseball, often receive more national attention. Loyola's men's basketball team has also seen recent success.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between USD and Loyola?

Both USD and Loyola offer comprehensive career services to help students find internships and jobs. Loyola benefits from its location in Chicago, a major metropolitan area with numerous corporate headquarters and internship opportunities. USD's location in San Diego also provides access to a thriving business community, particularly in technology and biotech. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their career searches.
Which university is a better fit for students interested in engineering?

The University of San Diego is generally considered a better fit for students specifically interested in engineering. USD's Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering offers a range of undergraduate and graduate engineering programs and is known for its hands-on learning approach and strong industry connections. While Loyola offers some science and technology programs, it doesn't have the same breadth or depth of engineering offerings as USD.
How does the religious affiliation impact the student experience at USD and Loyola?

Both USD and Loyola are Catholic universities, and their religious affiliation influences their values and campus culture. However, students of all faiths (or no faith) are welcome at both institutions. The Catholic identity is more integrated into the curriculum and campus life at both universities, with opportunities for religious services, retreats, and faith-based student organizations. The emphasis on ethical leadership and service to others is also a key aspect of the Catholic tradition at both schools.

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