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 (93.6% vs 80.0%); Illinois is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,500 vs $58,670); Illinois places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.4% vs 92.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Illinois | Loyola University-Chicago | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 166 | 161 | Illinois |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.70 | Illinois |
| Acceptance rate | 32.9% | 28.2% | Loyola University-Chicago |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,500 | $58,670 | Illinois |
| Non-resident tuition | $46,500 | $58,670 | Illinois |
| Median grant | $32,000 | $30,000 | Illinois |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 93.6% | 80.0% | Illinois |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 98.4% | 91.6% | Illinois |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +14.5 pts | +1.2 pts | Illinois |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 95.4% | 92.0% | Illinois |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 33.3% | 22.6% | Illinois |
| Federal clerkships | 4.6% | 0.8% | Illinois |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Illinois full profile · Loyola University-Chicago full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · 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, 93.6% against Loyola University-Chicago's 80.0%.
Which has better job outcomes, Illinois or Loyola University-Chicago?
Illinois places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.4% vs 92.0%).
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.