Loyola University Chicago — ROI, Cost & Payback
Loyola University Chicago charges a net price of $36,079/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $144,316. Graduates earn a median $71,530 ten years after entry, $23,170/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.2 years — a 20-year net return of $319,084, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Loyola University Chicago's 6.2-year payback ranks #539 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 58% of them, and #21 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $36,079/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $144,316 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,530 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,170/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,157 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $319,084 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Loyola University Chicago's own numbers. Net price $36,079 × 4 years = $144,316 total. Median earnings $71,530 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,170 a year of premium. $144,316 ÷ $23,170 = 6.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $319,084. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Loyola University Chicago students graduate with?
A median $24,157 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $71,530 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Loyola University Chicago students graduate?
73% finish their degree. Spread the $144,316 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $197,693 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Loyola University Chicago expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $36,079 net price runs $22,329 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $89,316 more across the full degree.