Navigating the Costs of Loras College: A Comprehensive Guide to Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Planning for college expenses is a crucial step in the application process. Understanding the costs associated with Loras College, along with available financial aid options, empowers students and families to make informed decisions. This article provides a detailed breakdown of Loras College's tuition, fees, and various financial aid opportunities.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance

The "Cost of Attendance" represents the total amount of money an average student pays to attend Loras College before any financial aid is applied. It's essentially the school's sticker price. At Loras College, the total cost is $54,286, encompassing tuition and fees, food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.

Tuition and Fees: A Detailed Breakdown

Loras College's tuition is $41,418, which is cheaper compared with the national average cost of tuition of $47,097. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers.

Below are Loras College’s direct costs, including tuition and fees. Tuition and fees do not vary across terms. The standard tuition rate per semester is $20,225 for 12 to 18 credits. Credits taken during the May term will be included in the spring full-time tuition rate. There will only be an additional tuition charge if the student is not registered full-time in the spring or fall or takes more than 36 credit hours between fall, May term, and spring combined. This fee is collected on behalf of student organizations such as College Activities Board (CAB), Student Senate, student programming, etc. Technology services are also included in this fee. Some courses may have an additional course fee that applies. Students may use their student account to purchase books.

Room and Board Costs

All students living in traditional housing (Beckman, Binz, and Rohlman) are required to have a meal plan. The meal contract entitles students to meals when classes are in session. Duhawk Dollars cannot be used during periods when the college is closed. The plans are not transferable from one student to another, and any meals not eaten at the end of the semester are not transferable and are nonrefundable. First and second-year students are required to participate in either Dewey’s Daily Meal Plan or Dewey’s Dining Plan. All meal plans will automatically be reassigned for the spring semester unless the residence life office is notified of a meal plan change application via Loras Residence eRezLife. Meal plans cannot be changed after the first Friday of the term during the fall and spring semesters. Students living in alternative housing (Byrne Oaks, Lynch-McCarthy Apartments, Smyth Hall, or College-owned houses) receive a Loras Meal Plan included with their housing assignment. Students can upgrade to any other available meal plan at their request. The Duhawk Plan or Loras Meal Plan contracts entitle students to meals only when classes are in session. Duhawk Dollars cannot be used during college breaks.

Here's a breakdown of housing costs:

Single:
- Lynch-McCarthy Apts: $7,000*
- Beckman: $6,600
- Beckman Premium: $7,126
- Binz: $6,300
- Byrne Oaks: $6,832*
- Rohlman: $5,734
- Smyth: $5,734*
Double:
- Beckman: $5,804^
- Beckman Premium: $6,232
- Binz: $5,276
- Byrne Oaks: $6,256*
- Rohlman: $5,276
- Smyth: $5,276**
Suites:
- Beckman: $6,510
- Binz: $5,788
- Rohlman: $5,788

*These housing assignments include the Loras Meal Plan^Indicates the rate that is used for an estimated cost on the financial aid award letter students receive. Students who choose a more expensive housing option will see an increase from the estimated amount on the award letter.

Alternative Housing Options:

1870 Alta Vista: $5,820
776 Loras Blvd: $5,950
1920 Alta Vista: $5,950
810 Loras Blvd: $5,950
706 Angella: $5,950
820 Loras Blvd: $5,950
726 Angella: $5,520
830 Loras Blvd: $5,520
770 Angella: $5,510
840 Loras Blvd: $5,950
1381 Belmont: $5,520
860 Loras Blvd: $5,950
1395 Belmont: $5,950
870 Loras Blvd: $5,520
1816 Cox: $5,510
880 Loras Blvd: $5,950
1920 Cox: $5,520
870 Loras Blvd: $5,520
830 Kirkwood: $5,520
548 May Place: $5,510
840 Kirkwood: $5,520
655 W. 17 Street: $5,950
890 Kirkwood: $5,950
660 W. 17 Street: $5,950
908 Kirkwood: $5,950
705 W. 17 Street: $5,950
920 Kirkwood: $5,950
711 W. 17 Street: $5,510
930 Kirkwood: $6,160
725 W.

Other Fees

Assessment fee: $10 each term
Lifetime transcript fee (post-SM23): $100 billed first term
One-time transcript fee (pre-SP23): $10
Graduation fee: $150 billed at term of graduation
Optional laptop rental Available to students enrolled in an on-campus program or online program living locally:
- Fall term: $810 per credit hour
- Spring term: $810 per credit hour
- Summer term: $500 per credit hourLaptop rentals are provided and included in tuition costs.
Typhon is software explicitly designed for CAATE-accredited programs facilitating student and program assessment.
Clinical Experience courses ATR 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, and 606 will be located at various clinical sites and include experiences outside of campus, in Dubuque and the greater tri-state area. Loras MAT students must provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites and be responsible for any associated travel costs.
Background check required after admission into the program. Cost varies based on the number of addresses and legal history.~$135
MHC 635 Social and Cultural Diversity course fee $20 (one time)
American Counseling Association membership ~$105 (annual)
Liability insurance must be purchased prior to the start of practicum. Prices are subject to change and are set by insurers.

Indirect Costs

Indirect cost estimates on books and personal expenses for the current year are listed below. Rates are effective from the summer 2026 term through the spring 2027 term.

Books and Supplies: $600 per year
Personal Expenses: $3,719 per year
Transportation: $1,000 per year

Financial Aid: Making Loras College Affordable

While the Cost of Attendance provides a comprehensive overview, the actual price you pay can be significantly lower with financial aid. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Read also: Dining Options Explored

Grants and Scholarships: Gift Aid

Grants and scholarships are the most desirable forms of financial aid because they don't need to be repaid. These are essentially "gift aid" that reduces your out-of-pocket expenses. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.

The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Loras College was $25,917. Additionally, 72% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023.

The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Loras College - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $23,274.

Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. See the types of scholarships and grants available at Loras College below.

Loans: An Investment in Your Future

Aside from grants, the other major way to pay for college is with student loans. The more student loan money you borrow, the more debt you’ll end up with after graduation. Ideally, you want to minimize your student debt as much as possible. It’s generally a bad sign if a school has many students taking out a lot of loans.

At Loras College, 78% of all students take out federal loans. At Loras College, the average annual federal loan amount is $6426. Other loans, or private loans, are the last resource students turn to when paying for college. At Loras College, 12% of students take out private loans. The average private loan amount at Loras College is $7758. The percentage of students getting federal loans is greater than those getting private loans, which is a good sign.

At Loras College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $26,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $276. Additionally, 15% of graduating students at Loras College took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $28,973 in private loan debt at graduation.

Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class is $33,116. 70% of graduating students who have borrowed any loan type in 2024.

Work-Study and Campus Jobs

Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.

Net Price: Your Actual Out-of-Pocket Cost

The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. In other words, this is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket.

Loras College had an average net price of $22,338. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline.

Financial Aid Statistics and Dates

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 67.26%
Average Aid Package: $32,792
Average Net Price: $22,338 per year
Financial Aid Application Due: August 10
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 97.86%
Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $21,517
Need-Based Loan Amount: $6,654
Non-Need-Based Aid: $21,052
Debt at Graduation: $33,116

Loras College Value and Rankings

Loras College is considered to be one of the best schools in its class. This means your classmates will be well above average and you'll belong to an exciting community.

Admissions and Enrollment

Loras College received 1,652 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 11.2% annual growth. Out of those 1,652 applicants, 1,517 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 91.8% acceptance rate. There were 1,213 students enrolled at Loras College in 2023. 31% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications. Loras College has an overall enrollment yield of 16.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

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