Illinois-Chicago vs. Loyola University-Chicago: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Loyola University-Chicago is the more selective admit (median LSAT 161 vs 153); Loyola University-Chicago posts the higher first-time bar passage (80.0% vs 60.1%); Illinois-Chicago is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,192 vs $58,670); Loyola University-Chicago places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.0% vs 80.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Illinois-Chicago | Loyola University-Chicago | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 153 | 161 | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.40 | 3.70 | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Acceptance rate | 52.6% | 28.2% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,192 | $58,670 | Illinois-Chicago |
| Non-resident tuition | $45,240 | $58,670 | Illinois-Chicago |
| Median grant | $23,250 | $30,000 | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 60.1% | 80.0% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 77.8% | 91.6% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -18.7 pts | +1.2 pts | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.3% | 92.0% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 5.4% | 22.6% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Federal clerkships | 0.4% | 0.8% | Loyola University-Chicago |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Illinois-Chicago full profile · Loyola University-Chicago full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is Illinois-Chicago or Loyola University-Chicago harder to get into?
Loyola University-Chicago is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 161 against Illinois-Chicago's 153.
Which is cheaper, Illinois-Chicago or Loyola University-Chicago?
Illinois-Chicago is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,192 versus Loyola University-Chicago's $58,670.
Which has better bar passage, Illinois-Chicago or Loyola University-Chicago?
Loyola University-Chicago has the higher first-time bar passage, 80.0% against Illinois-Chicago's 60.1%.
Which has better job outcomes, Illinois-Chicago or Loyola University-Chicago?
Loyola University-Chicago places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.0% vs 80.3%).
Illinois-Chicago vs Loyola University-Chicago: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Loyola University-Chicago leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.