Loyola University Chicago in USA

Loyola University Chicago was founded in 1870 as the St. Ignatius College on Chicago's West Side. Currently, St. Ignatius College Prep stands in that original location. In 1908 the School of Law was established as the first of the professional programs. St Ignatius College changed its name to Loyola University in 1909, while also adding the Stritch School of Medicine. The year 1923 saw the affiliation of the Chicago College of Dental Surgery with Loyola University, later to be known as Loyola University School of Dentistry. This school is no longer open.

In 1934 West Baden College affiliated itself with Loyola University, later to be known as the Bellarmine School of Theology, then the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago. Loyola University established the Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing in 1935, the first fully accredited collegiate school of nursing in the state of Illinois. Loyola then opened the Rome Center for Liberal Arts in 1962, the first American university sponsored program in Rome. In 1969, the Loyola University Chicago School of Education was established and the Loyola University Medical Center was opened in Maywood. In 1979 the School of Nursing was renamed the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. The most recent expansion was the 1991 acquisition of neighboring Mundelein College from the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW LOYOLA?
From the moment you step on campus, we make an impression. It might be the lakefront property, nationally-ranked degree programs, our Jesuit mission, or our Rogers Park neighbors. But, we are not just one pretty campus. Loyola is also downtown in the heart of Chicago, and partners with Trinity Health in Maywood and the suburbs. We even have a campus in Rome, Italy—and offer online degree programs to bring our expertise and mission to you. Get to know us and our undergraduate, graduate, or adult education programs.

A TOP-RATED NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

#31 UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
#102 BEST VALUE
#95 BEST COLLEGE FOR VETERANS
#31 UNDERGRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM
#58 UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAM (NON-DOCTORAL)
#84 UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS PROGRAM
#20 BEST ONLINE BACHELOR’S PROGRAM
#10 BEST ONLINE BACHELOR’S BUSINESS PROGRAM
#4 BEST ONLINE BACHELOR’S PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM

LOYOLA’S HOME STATS

85,000+ ALUMNI LIVE IN CHICAGO
100,000+ VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED BY LOYOLA STUDENTS IN CHICAGO
867 INTERNSHIP COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

WE ARE CHICAGO'S JESUIT, CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

Our faculty, staff, and students come from all faiths and backgrounds, but together, we strive toward the same goal, being men and women for and with others. But what makes a Jesuit university different? Our students receive an education that stresses the importance of knowledge, curiosity, global perspectives, and cura personalis, which translates to “care for the whole person.”

Our Loyola community isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty cleaning up neighborhood parks and gardens—or use its expertise to mentor girls interested in STEM programs. They research local food deserts and volunteer with our student-run farmers market to make healthy food more accessible. Here, we don't talk about making the world a better place—we get to work.