Illinois vs. Loyola University-Chicago: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Illinois is the more selective admit (median LSAT 166 vs 161); Illinois posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.56% vs 80%); Illinois is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,500 vs $58,670); Illinois places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.4% vs 92%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricIllinoisLoyola University-ChicagoBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT166161Illinois
Median undergraduate GPA3.813.70Illinois
Acceptance rate32.9%28.2%Loyola University-Chicago
Cost
Resident tuition$36,500$58,670Illinois
Non-resident tuition$46,500$58,670Illinois
Median grant$32,000$30,000Illinois
Bar passage
First-time bar passage93.56%80%Illinois
Two-year ultimate bar passage98.41%91.57%Illinois
Bar passage vs. state average+14.5 pts+1.2 ptsIllinois
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment95.4%92%Illinois
Large-firm (250+) employment33.3%22.6%Illinois
Federal clerkships4.6%0.8%Illinois

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 92.67% in 2011 to 93.56% in 202570%80%90%100%111315182022242593.56%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Illinois — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 88.66% in 2011 to 80% in 202575%80%85%90%95%111315182022242580%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Loyola University-Chicago — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $38,567 in 2011 to $36,500 in 2025$34,000$36,000$38,000$40,000$42,0001113151719212325$36,500
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Illinois — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $39,496 in 2011 to $58,670 in 2025$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$58,670
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Loyola University-Chicago — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Illinois full profile · Loyola University-Chicago full profile · All Illinois law schools

FAQ

Is Illinois or Loyola University-Chicago harder to get into?

Illinois is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 166 against Loyola University-Chicago's 161.

Which is cheaper, Illinois or Loyola University-Chicago?

Illinois is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,500 versus Loyola University-Chicago's $58,670.

Which has better bar passage, Illinois or Loyola University-Chicago?

Illinois has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.56% against Loyola University-Chicago's 80%.

Which has better job outcomes, Illinois or Loyola University-Chicago?

Illinois places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.4% vs 92%).

Illinois 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), Illinois 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.

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