Loyola University Acceptance Rate 2026: 81.6%, GPA, SAT, ACT & Admissions Guide
Direct answer: Loyola University Chicago’s official 2024–2025 Common Data Set lists 39,316 first-time first-year applicants and 32,081 admitted students. That equals an acceptance rate of about 81.6%. Loyola is accessible for many prepared students, but GPA, rigor, recommendation, optional essay/resume, test choice and deadline timing still matter.
The acceptance rate answers the first question, but it does not answer whether your own application is strong. A student applying test-optional with a 3.2 GPA needs a different strategy than a student with a 3.8 GPA, strong courses, service work and a strong recommendation.
This guide gives the useful answers in one place: acceptance rate, GPA, SAT, ACT, test-optional policy, priority deadline, application materials, scholarships, international requirements, video help, FAQs and official Loyola links.
Official CDS calculation: 32,081 admitted from 39,316 applicants.
Fall 2025 first-year admitted profile lists 3.82 mean weighted cumulative GPA.
Loyola’s Fall 2025 admitted profile SAT middle 50% range for score submitters.
Fall first-year priority deadline; May 1 is the enrollment deposit deadline.
Quick navigation for Loyola applicants
Loyola University acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Search question | Direct answer | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola University acceptance rate 2026 | About 81.6% for Loyola University Chicago using official 2024–2025 CDS data. | Moderately selective; many prepared applicants are admitted. |
| How many applied? | 39,316 first-time first-year applicants. | Loyola gets a large pool, so a rushed file can still hurt you. |
| How many were admitted? | 32,081 admitted students. | Admission is realistic for solid applicants, but not automatic. |
| How many enrolled? | 2,763 first-year students enrolled. | Apply early for better scholarship and enrollment planning. |
| International admit context | CDS shows 3,045 international applicants and 1,181 admits. | International applicants should prepare English proof and visa documents early. |
Loyola GPA, SAT and ACT: what is competitive?
GPA answer
Useful target: Loyola’s admitted Fall 2025 profile lists 3.82 mean weighted cumulative GPA. The CDS reports 3.91 average GPA for enrolled first-year students who submitted GPA.
Test optional answer
Loyola is test optional. You may submit SAT/ACT if the score helps. Loyola superscores, so it reviews the highest section scores across multiple test dates.
Good SAT range
Admitted Fall 2025 profile: 1200–1370. Enrolled CDS middle 50%: 1180–1350. A score above 1350 is strong.
Good ACT range
Admitted and enrolled middle range is about 27–32 ACT composite. Submit ACT when it makes your academic story stronger.
| Your profile | How Loyola may read it | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| GPA 3.8+ | Strong match for Loyola’s admitted profile. | Apply by December 1 and focus on scholarships, major fit and recommendation quality. |
| GPA 3.4–3.79 | Possible, especially with strong course rigor and recommendation. | Use optional essay/resume to show growth, service, leadership or major direction. |
| GPA below 3.4 | More risk, especially if courses are not rigorous. | Show upward trend, senior grades, recommendation strength and SAT/ACT if scores help. |
| SAT 1180–1350 | Inside enrolled middle range. | Submit if it supports your transcript. |
| SAT 1350+ | Above enrolled middle range. | Submit; it may strengthen admission and scholarship review. |
| Weak SAT/ACT | May not help if GPA and courses are stronger. | Use test optional and strengthen the rest of the file. |
Loyola application deadlines: December 1 is the key date
| Deadline | Official timing | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fall application opens | August 1 | Start early so transcript and recommendation are not rushed. |
| Fall priority deadline | December 1 | Best deadline for first-year review, scholarship planning and less space risk. |
| Fall enrollment deposit | May 1 | Reserve your space by the national reply date. |
| After December 1 | Space-available review | Loyola may keep admitting students, but earlier is safer. |
| Spring priority deadline | November 1 | For students applying to start in spring. |
| Spring deposit deadline | January 1 | Confirm quickly for spring entry planning. |
What Loyola considers most in admission
| Admission factor | Official CDS importance | Applicant strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Academic GPA | Very important | Your grades carry major weight. Protect senior-year performance. |
| Course rigor | Important | Use honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment or advanced courses where available. |
| Recommendation | Important | Ask a teacher or counselor who can discuss your readiness, character and work habits. |
| Test scores | Considered if submitted | Submit only when SAT/ACT adds strength. Loyola is test optional. |
| Essay | Considered | Optional, but useful if it explains your story, goals or context. |
| Activities and service | Considered | Loyola’s Jesuit mission makes service, leadership and community impact useful signals. |
Major and program strategy: where applicants should be more careful
| Student path | What matters | What to show |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-health / biology / nursing interest | Science readiness, grades, service and clinical awareness. | Biology, chemistry, anatomy, volunteer work, health service, patient-care exposure if available. |
| Business / Quinlan interest | Quantitative readiness, communication and leadership. | Math, economics, business clubs, work experience, entrepreneurship, team projects. |
| Psychology / social work / education | Writing, empathy, service and people-focused experience. | Service hours, tutoring, youth programs, counseling interest, community work. |
| Computer science / data / STEM | Math readiness and technical curiosity. | Coding, AP CS, robotics, data projects, math rigor, problem-solving activities. |
| Communication / arts / humanities | Writing, creativity and portfolio-like evidence if relevant. | Publications, media work, debate, performance, art, writing samples, community projects. |
| Undecided | Academic readiness and exploration. | Explain two or three real interests and why Loyola helps you explore them. |
Loyola application materials: what to prepare
| Material | What Loyola says | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Use Common Application or Loyola’s online application. | Thinking there is a fee. Loyola says there is no application fee. |
| Transcript | Official high school transcript is required. | Uploading unofficial grades and assuming review is complete. |
| Recommendation | Teacher or counselor recommendation should come directly from the recommender. | Asking too late or using someone who cannot explain your readiness. |
| SAT/ACT | Optional; Loyola superscores if submitted. | Submitting weak scores instead of using test optional. |
| Essay / personal statement | Optional for first-year applicants. | Skipping it when GPA needs context or when you have a strong story. |
| Resume | Optional and can be submitted after applying. | Not including service, leadership, jobs, research, clubs or major-related experience. |
International applicants: English proof, documents and visa timing
Loyola may require official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo English Test scores. Listed minimums include IELTS 6.5, PTE 53 and Duolingo 110.
Loyola lists TOEFL 79 for tests before January 1, 2026 and 4.5 for tests taken after January 1, 2026 under its updated guidance.
| International item | Useful answer | Action step |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Common Application or Loyola application; no fee. | Apply early so document and visa steps do not get compressed. |
| Transcripts | Official transcript from every high school or secondary school attended. | Provide English translation if necessary. |
| English proof | TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo or other accepted proof may be required. | Check whether SAT/ACT or AP/IB coursework can help with English proof review. |
| I-20 / visa | Additional instructions come after admission decision if student visa is needed. | Prepare passport ID page, financial support documents and affidavit of support if applicable. |
| Rome Start option | International students may explore starting in Chicago or Rome. | Check Rome Start requirements if global entry is part of your plan. |
Scholarship and cost points applicants should know
| Money question | Useful answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Merit scholarships | Loyola reviews admission applicants for merit scholarships automatically. | Apply early and make sure GPA, rigor, recommendation and optional materials are strong. |
| Scholarship range | Official pages reference merit/academic scholarship ranges up to $34,000 per year. | Check your acceptance letter and student portal for initial and special scholarship details. |
| Extra scholarship applications | Loyola may post special scholarship applications in the student portal after admission. | Check portal in early January and do not miss separate scholarship deadlines. |
| FAFSA | Loyola’s FAFSA school code is 001710. | Submit FAFSA early because some aid is first-come, first-served. |
| Cost of attendance | Direct costs and indirect costs both matter. | Use the Net Price Calculator, then compare with the official award letter and eBill. |
Loyola University admissions video guide
Watch the video, then use the checklist below to connect general Loyola advice to your GPA, scores, deadline, scholarship plan and application materials.
Loyola application checklist: scan before you submit
Common mistakes that hurt Loyola applicants
- Only looking at 81.6%: Acceptance rate is not the same as your personal chance.
- Waiting past December 1: Loyola may review later files if space remains, but priority timing is safer.
- Submitting weak scores: Loyola is test optional, so do not submit scores that weaken your file.
- Skipping the recommendation: A strong teacher or counselor letter is part of Loyola’s first-year process.
- Ignoring the optional essay: Optional does not mean useless if your story needs context.
- Writing a generic essay: Explain why Loyola, Chicago, Jesuit education, service or your major path fits you.
- Not checking the portal: Missing items, scholarship applications and deposit steps can appear there.
- Forgetting international English proof: International applicants should check TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo rules early.
- Not using scholarship timing: Merit and special scholarships reward early, complete, strong files.
- Assuming no fee means no strategy: Free application helps, but the application still needs strong evidence.
Official Loyola links and sources
The key details are summarized above so readers do not have to jump between pages. Use these official links to confirm current rules before submitting.
Official source for applicants, admits, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT ranges, GPA and admission factors.
Official application process, no fee, transcript, recommendation, test optional rules and deadlines.
Official admitted Fall 2025 GPA, SAT, ACT, aid and student profile facts.
Official international transcript, English proficiency and visa-related guidance.
Official FAFSA code, scholarship planning, award letter and cost-of-attendance guidance.
Official Fall 2026 academic scholarship information and special award details.
FAQs about Loyola University acceptance rate 2026
What is Loyola University acceptance rate for 2026?
For 2026 planning, Loyola University Chicago’s official 2024–2025 Common Data Set shows 39,316 applicants and 32,081 admitted students, which equals about 81.6%.
Is Loyola University Chicago hard to get into?
Loyola is moderately selective. Many prepared students are admitted, but GPA, course rigor, recommendation, optional materials and deadline timing still matter.
What GPA do you need for Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola’s Fall 2025 admitted profile lists a 3.82 mean weighted cumulative GPA. The CDS reports a 3.91 average GPA for enrolled students who submitted GPA.
Is Loyola University Chicago test optional?
Yes. Loyola is test optional. Applicants may choose whether to submit ACT or SAT scores, and Loyola superscores results if scores are submitted.
What SAT score is good for Loyola University Chicago?
Loyola’s admitted-student profile lists a 1200–1370 SAT middle 50% range. The official CDS enrolled range is 1180–1350.
What ACT score is good for Loyola University Chicago?
A strong ACT score is usually in or above the 27–32 middle 50% composite range reported for Loyola students who submitted scores.
What is the Loyola University Chicago priority deadline?
December 1 is the fall priority application deadline. May 1 is the enrollment deposit deadline.
Does Loyola University Chicago have an application fee?
No. Loyola says students can submit the Common Application or Loyola’s online application with no application fee.
Does Loyola University Chicago require an essay?
The essay or personal statement is optional for first-year applicants, but it can help explain goals, context, leadership, service or major fit.
How can I improve my Loyola application?
Apply by December 1, send official transcripts early, request a strong recommendation, choose test optional wisely, submit optional essay/resume when helpful and check the student portal for missing items and scholarships.