Loras College
Historically rich, academically challenging, faith-centered, socially stimulating–that’s Loras College. Relating liberal arts to a changing world, Loras develops active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision makers and responsible contributors
The Loras College campus is nestled high atop the majestic bluffs of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, and overlooks the states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. The city has approximately 70,000 people and is full of opportunity and spirit. As the oldest college in Iowa, Loras is steeped in 172 years of liberal arts tradition that’s deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Today, nearly 1,600 unique individuals make up the student body, and they get the personal attention needed to make their college experience truly their own. By providing a culture of respect and active learning to students, they find personal, professional and spiritual strength.
Loras is small enough to be personal, yet large enough to provide students a well-rounded academic and co-curricular experience. A member of the NCAA Division III and Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Loras fields 22 varsity men’s and women’s sports. College involves more than attending classes, studying and earning a degree. College is a four-year lesson in discovering who a person is and who that person wants to become. That’s why it is so important for students to find a college that fits, a place where they can be more. At Loras College, students find the environment and the tools they need to grow personally, professionally and spiritually.
Engaged Students
Loras College is dedicated to providing students with a rich and engaging liberal arts education. From a truly active-learning curriculum to the creation of an experiential January Term, Loras regularly considers the needs of students as they prepare for professions and life in a complex world.
Loras’ intentional emphasis on experiential learning is a distinctive feature of the College. At Loras, experiential learning parallels the way students want to learn: in collaborative, relevant and purposeful ways. It also builds upon Loras’ history of offering broad-based liberal learning that focuses on critical thinking and ethical decision-making alongside preparation for careers and professions.
Students regularly collaborate on projects, are involved in simulations and debates, work on discovery-based assignments and consider the broader ethical and social implications of their learning. Experiential learning at Loras encompasses study abroad, internships, field work, research, and community-based service learning.
Loras College strives to develop learning environments dedicated to the whole person. A multitude of resources on campus help foster that development, including Campus Ministry, a Counseling Center, a vibrant array of extra-curricular activities, an updated library, a state-of-the-art Athletic and Wellness Center, the Headwaters Academic Success Center, and many more.
Loras College students do so much more than declare a major and earn a degree. Through the opportunities provided to them, they make a major difference in the lives of others and in the world.
Great Teaching
Pairing well-trained faculty with small class sizes provides Loras student with an optimum learning environment.
Loras College places great value on and strongly supports the effective teaching provided by its well-trained and professional faculty. Ninety-eight percent of faculty members hold the terminal degrees in their respective fields of study—75% Ph.D., 23% terminal-degree masters (MBA, MFA, MSW). The majority of the faculty is strongly connected to professional organizations within their disciplines.
Pairing this incredible expertise with the personal attention of small class sizes, Loras provides the optimum environment for students to grow. Academic advisors help to mentor students throughout their time at Loras. In fact, the one-on-one attention and intimate learning setting allow many students to double-major—and still graduate in four years.
In addition, each full-time student receives a laptop computer loaded with software for academic and personal use. Use of this powerful social networking and learning tool is incorporated into the technology-rich classrooms.
Vibrant Community
Historically rich, academically challenging, faith-centered, socially stimulating – that’s Loras College. Involvement at Loras is second nature, which provides an abundance of activities on campus and a thriving community full of spirit.
The life of the Loras student is a combination of academic responsibility and social interaction, complete with leadership and character-building opportunities. While academics are a priority, students also spend much of their time on campus outside of the classroom. That is why Loras College offers nearly 150 clubs, organizations and campus activities that welcome student involvement and help create a sense of home. From the moment students step onto campus and begin Launch into LORAS, an orientation program, Loras helps provide an experience that encompasses many interests within a community of support.
Students are offered a breadth of involvement opportunities at Loras in the following categories: academic organizations, athletic and recreational groups, honorary organizations, leadership development, media and publications, performing arts groups, special interest groups, campus spiritual life and student government.
Nestled high atop the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Loras College is located at the heart of Dubuque, Iowa. A vibrant community of its own, Dubuque offers Loras students a vast array of entertainment, cultural and educational opportunities.
Successful Outcomes
Loras students receive a well-rounded education and college experience, and are noted by employers that they stand out above their peers.
The educational experiences offered by Loras College that emphasize active, experiential, interdisciplinary, technology-intensive and service learning ensure that graduates have acquired the knowledge and skills they will need to function in a diverse, technological and ever-changing world. Currently, more than 92% of Loras graduates are accepted into graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
Loras College is a four-year, co-educational Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1839.
Web site
http://www.loras.edu
Location
Dubuque, Iowa
Student Profile
2011 Fall Enrollment
Nearly 1,600 students
50.3% Male - 49.7% Female
Student Profile for All Undergraduate Students
45.9% Iowa Students
50.2% Out-of-State
3.9% International Students
Faculty Profile
Faculty
111 Full-time Faculty
25 Part-time Faculty
Student-to-FT Faculty Ratio
13 to 1
Average Class Size
19 Students
Athletics
Loras College student athletes are widely successful, with hundreds named all-conference, all-academic and all-American.
22 Varsity Sports
Mascot: Dewey the Duhawk
Colors: Purple and Gold
Men’s Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor)
Wrestling
Lacrosse
Women’s Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor)
Volleyball
Academic Programs
Loras offers more than 40 majors and 30 minors—everything from Accounting to Theater.
Loras majors include:
Accounting
Athletic Training
Biochemistry
Biological Science Teaching, 5–12
Biology
Biology Research
Business
Chemistry
Chemistry Secondary Teaching, 5–12
Computer Science
Computing & Information Tech Management
Computing & Information Tech Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
Elementary Education, K–6
Engineering
English, Creative Writing
English Literature
Finance
History
Individualized Major
Instructional Strategist, 5–12
Integrated Visual Arts
International Studies
Management
Marketing
Mathematics
Media Studies
Music
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physical Education Teaching, K–12
Physics Secondary Teaching, 5–12
Politics
Psychology
Public Relations
Religious Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Sport Management
Sport Science
Minors:
Accounting
Applied Physics
Archaeology/Cultural Heritage
Art: Studio
Biology
Business
Catholic Studies
Chemistry
CIT-Management
CIT-Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
Gender Studies
Greek/Roman Studies
History
International Studies
Irish Studies
Journalism
Mathematics
Media Studies
Music: Instrumental
Music: Liturgical
Music: Vocal/Choral
PE Iowa Coaching
Philosophy
Politics
Psychology
Public Relations
Publishing
Religious Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Theater
Pre-professional areas of study:
Law
Chiropractic Medicine
Dentistry
Medicine
Nuclear Medicine
Nursing
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Physicians Assistant
Podiatry
Veterinary Medicine
Costs and Aid
Tuition $25,906
Fees $402
Technology Fee $950
Room $3,805
Board (200 block) $3,719
--------------------------------------
Total $34,782
98% of students receive financial aid.
Endowment
$20,000,000
More Distinctions
- Loras earned the 13th spot in the Top Tier among Best Midwest Regional Colleges in the 2012 edition of "Best Colleges" by U.S. News Media Group.
- Loras College received a national ranking of 12th in the baccalaureate category among U.S. colleges and universities by Washington Monthly, a ranking that focuses on service-oriented schools.
- Loras College was named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction by the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is the third straight year that Loras has been named to the Honor Roll and the first year it has made the list with Distinction.
Loras College admits students on a rolling basis. Applications are evaluated once all application materials are on file. Students are then notified of the admission decision within a few weeks. Loras College admits students regardless of race, age, gender, religion, ethnic origin or physical disability.
Recommended Admissions Standards
For first year applicants, a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum ACT score of 20 are recommended.
Transfer applicants must be in good academic standing at the most recent educational institution.
The ACT or SAT is required for students unless they:
- Have an AA degree, OR
- Have 45 college credits hours completed at the time they apply, OR
- Have been out of high school for more than 4 years
Many students worry whether they will qualify for financial aid. The good news is more than 98% of Loras students receive some type of financial assistance. With guidance from financial planning staff, students can locate scholarships, grants and a variety of other financial resources to help cover expenses throughout their time at Loras.
Loras offers numerous types of financial aid. They include merit-based assistance and Loras College sponsored scholarships, need-based assistance and many additional assistance programs and scholarship opportunities. See a sample of some of the awards offered below:
- Regent Scholarship - Two (2) - Full Tuition Scholarships, Ten (10) - $17,000 Scholarships
- Breitbach Catholic Thinkers & Leaders Program - $17,000 Scholarship to those accepted into the program.
- Loras Merit Awards - $3,000 to $16,000 per year
- Find a complete list at www.loras.edu/aid.
An at-a-glance guide to applying for financial aid:
- Apply for admission to Loras College. Financial assistance cannot be offered until a student has been accepted to Loras College. Students should apply for admission after the start of their senior year.
- Beat the financial aid application deadline. Apply for financial assistance at Loras College by April 15.
- Fill out the appropriate financial assistance forms. All families are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 for the next academic year. Some types of assistance are not available to students who do not complete this document. To have the results sent to Loras College, include the Loras Title IV Code of 001873.
- Relay other pertinent information to Loras. Financial need is determined by the federal processor using the FAFSA. However, Loras College realizes this calculation does not consider additional circumstances that a family may have, so it is important for families to communicate their specific situation to the Office of Financial Planning. It is also important that families report all financial assistance awards from external sources to Loras.
- Financial assistance letters are sent via U.S. mail. Typically, families will receive their financial assistance letter in mid-March.
Loras College
1450 Alta Vista St.
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
1-800-245-6727