Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago traces its roots to 1870, when Jesuits established St. Ignatius College in a downtown Chicago building amid the city's post-fire rebuilding. Today, it spans two distinct campuses: the scenic Lake Shore Campus along Lake Michigan, where most undergraduates live and study, and the urban Water Tower Campus in the Magnificent Mile district. This dual setup lets students dip into both suburban greenery and city pulse, but expect some travel time between them via shuttle or train. Students who thrive here embrace Jesuit ideals of justice and service, often volunteering in Chicago's neighborhoods, and enjoy urban exploration. The school suits ambitious types drawn to health professions, business, or humanities with a practical bent, though its size means less hand-holding than at smaller colleges.