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Founded in 1852 by the Society of Jesus, a religious order long dedicated to education, research, and culture, Loyola University in Maryland is a highly respected Roman Catholic private institution in Baltimore. Named for Ignatius of Loyola, the Catholic saint who began the Society of Jesus, Loyola is driven by educational excellence and rigor in the Jesuit tradition, earning recognition from U.S. News & World Report as the #2 regional institution in the North, as well as gaining notice as an up-and-coming university.
Academic Programs
Loyola is a Jesuit university, and no Catholic order is more known for educational challenge and high expectations than the Jesuits. Loyola’s curriculum is exceptionally demanding, and exceptionally rewarding, based in the traditional liberal arts and designed to produce well-rounded critical thinkers and doers. Beyond the foundational courses in the humanities and sciences, Loyola is known for some of the most respected programs in the region, particularly those from the Sellinger School of Business and Management, a world-class institution regularly ranked as one of the best in the nation.Graduates can count on Loyola’s excellence to translate into the real world as well. While Loyola’s faculty take no mediocrity and demand the very best performance, Loyola’s excellent student support and guidance helps their students achieve a 79% four-year graduation rate – far higher than the national average. 95% of Loyola graduates are employed or accepted into graduate school soon after graduation, and according to a Brookings Institute study, Loyola is in the top 2% of US schools for value added – and in the top 9% nationally for ROI, according to Payscale.
Student Life
Loyola’s 3500 students enjoy access to world-class culture and entertainment, as well as a rich, familial environment. Located in Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city and one of the most promising metropolitan cities in the nation, students have access to a wealth of events, activities, and choices. Loyola’s athletic rivalry with Baltimore’s other elite college, Johns Hopkins University, also adds excitement to the campus scene.In true Jesuit tradition, community engagement and service is also at the core of Loyola’s student culture. Loyola’s student body has a high level of activism, and the Center for Community Service and Justice organizes Loyola students around dozens of ongoing community actions, from literacy education to immigrant protection and advocacy. Nearly two-thirds of Loyola students take part in study-abroad experiences as well, making Loyola graduates well-traveled in addition to well-educated.