Loras College vs McKendree University
Loras College and McKendree University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Loras, a private Catholic college in Dubuque, Iowa, boasts a 90% acceptance rate and a student body of around 1,500 undergraduates. McKendree, a private Methodist university in Lebanon, Illinois, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 95% and a larger undergraduate population of over 2,000. While both institutions offer a diverse range of majors, Loras is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs, while McKendree excels in business, education, and nursing. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions' differences in tuition, graduation rates, and student demographics, and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Loras College |
![]() McKendree University |
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Overview |
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Location | Dubuque, Iowa | Lebanon, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 73.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Methodism |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 72.0% | 77.7% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,086 | 1,765 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,501 | 1,371 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 296 | 268 |
Yield rate | 19.7% | 19.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $45,563 | $45,680 |
Average net price | $20,068 | $25,492 |
Tuition | $33,500 | $31,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,000
Meal plan:
$4,760
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Room/dormitory:
$5,470
Meal plan:
$6,000
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,765 |
94.0%
Average amount $20,550 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
60.0%
Average amount $6,155 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $8,551 |
8.0%
Average amount $13,511 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,296
Men 57.3% Women 42.7% |
1,443
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students |
90
Men 28.9% Women 71.1% |
515
Men 32.2% Women 67.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 69.3% | 34.8% |
International students | 2.0% | 4.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 783 | 1,052 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Iowa Wisconsin Florida Missouri | Illinois Missouri Texas California Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.0% | 55.6% |
Dropout rate | 31.5% | 44.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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