Loras College

Last Updated By • November 17, 2023

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Preparing for Fast-Growing Big Data Jobs at Loras College

Loras College appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Most Affordable Online Certificates in Business Analytics.

Since Spring 2018, the Francis J. Noonan School of Business has granted a Business Analytics B.A. for Loras College Duhawks to learn statistical methods that help organizations gain financial insights and make better decisions. Directed by Dr. Dale Lehman, this 120-credit, HLC-accredited curriculum spans 48 months full-time with Dubuque courses like Predictive Modeling, Data Visualization, and Machine Learning. At Hoffman Hall, the Division of Mathematics, Engineering & Computer Science awards a Data Science B.S. that focuses more on collecting, analyzing, and storing data for scientific use. Chaired by Dr. Robert Keller, this 120-credit, four-year STEM path currently costs $33,500 yearly for Catholic courses like Multivariable Calculus, Database Programming, and Data Structures. Loras undergrads might also pledge Phi Beta Lambda, intern with Principal Financial Group, spend a semester in Spain, minor in analytics, attend the ASA DataFest, enter the AmeriCorps Program, and join the Sport Business Club.

About Loras College

Loras College originated in 1839 when Dubuque’s first bishop, Rev. Mathias Loras, created St. Raphael’s Seminary to train Roman Catholic men for the priesthood. In 1850, Father Joseph Cretin renamed it Mount St. Bernard’s College and Seminary. Closed after the Panic of 1857, it was reopened by Bishop John Hennessy in 1873 as St. Joseph College. In 1879, the Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque added a college-preparatory school on its grounds. By June 1895, the first Bachelor of Arts programs began in liberal arts disciplines. In 1914, Rev. Daniel Gorman chose the Dubuque College name. Three years later, the North Central Association of Colleges granted its initial accreditation. Coeducational since 1919, it was renamed again to Columbia College in 1920. Partnered with the Catholic University of America in 1934, it became Loras College on October 20, 1939. In 1975, Loras launched the Division of Community Education. In 1992, Loras College also acquired the St. Pius X Seminary.

Endowed for $39.7 million, Loras College now employs 95 full-time and 43 part-time faculty teaching 1,489 Duhawks from 10 countries on its 65-acre Archdiocese of Dubuque campus near Crystal Lake Cave with 60+ organizations like Mathematics Club for 60 percent graduation. In 2019, Loras received the NASPA Region IV-E Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award. In 2018, Loras College won its second straight SPJ Region 7 Mark of Excellence Award. Loras College accepted the 2014 President’s Award for Interfaith Community Service too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Loras the 16th top Midwest school and 42nd best social mobility performer. On Niche, Loras boasts America’s 245th best private education and 343rd top business school. Times Higher Education included Loras College in its top 501-600. Washington Monthly declared Loras the 18th best bachelor’s institution and 326th top value.

Loras College Accreditation Details

On March 23, 2020, Loras College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council to renew its Level III accreditation status for 10 years under President James E. Collins, PhD, who earned the Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award. Located 180 miles east via Interstate 20 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to review Loras’ 40 baccalaureate and nine master’s degrees.

Loras College Application Requirements

Enrollment at Loras College is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s though 1,216 of the 1,312 Fall 2018 applicants were triumphant for high 93 percent acceptance odds. First-year Duhawks seeking the Business Analytics B.A. or Data Science B.S. need a qualifying high school diploma. College preparation should include four years of English plus three years each of math and science. Iowa GED scores of 450 or higher would be equivalent. Minimum grades aren’t presently listed. However, the Class of 2022 reported an average GPA of 3.37. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 998-1183. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 19-25. Only the Honors Program requires at least 3.5 GPA and 26 ACT marks. International students must exceed the 550 TOEFL PBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 980 SAT minimum in English. Francis J. Noonan School of Business transfers typically have 2.5 or better GPAs in 12+ credits. A maximum of 64 two-year college and 90 four-year university credits graded C or greater are acceptable.

Loras College conveniently has ongoing admissions year-round. Current start dates are August 26th for Fall, January 6th for J-Term, February 3rd for Spring, and May 26th for Summer. Applying at least 2-3 weeks before enrollment dates is encouraged. Note March 1st is the priority date for financial aid consideration. Accordingly, complete the Loras Application fully online for $0. Forward official transcripts to 1450 Alta Vista Street in Dubuque, IA 52001. Send test results using SAT/TOEFL code 6370 or ACT code 1328. Meet checklist requirements, such as the orientation registration, health form, spiritual reference, teacher evaluation, short essay, affidavit of financial support, and passport. Contact (800) 245-6727 or admission@loras.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Loras College is billing full-time Data Science B.S. and Business Analytics B.A. majors $33,500 annually. Each semester costs $16,750 for 12-18 credits taken. The DuTech services fee adds $1,100. Other mandatory student fees are $618 by year. Residing at the Dubuque campus dorms like Rohlman Hall incurs $4,000 for yearly rent. Dewey’s daily meal plan for the Café is $4,425 extra. Loras budgets $1,100 for books, $1,400 for travel, $600 for miscellaneous expenses, and $59 for loan fees. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $45,570 on-site or $37,395 at home. Studying part-time requires $750 per credit. Summer courses are discounted to $390 per credit. The DuTech services fee remains $550 per term though.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Planning Office in Keane Hall connects 100 percent of new full-time Loras Duhawks to tuition aid averaging $23,014 apiece for $7.73 million combined. Institutional funds include the Early Acceptance Award, Eagle Scout Award, Breitbach Scholarship, DuSTEM Scholars Award, First Generation Scholars Award, Interfaith Leaders Scholarship, St. John Paul II Memorial Scholarship. St. Cecilia Scholarship, Carver Scholars Award, United World College Alumni Award, Catholic High School Grant, Regent Scholarship, #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, and Legacy Grant. The Loras Merit Scholarship gifts $16,000 to $24,000 annually based on freshman SAT/ACT scores. The $12,000 Transfer Achievement Award assists full-time Phi Theta Kappa members with cumulative GPAs above 3.5. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA forms coded 001873. In-state Hawkeyes also pursue the Iowa Tuition Grant, National Guard Assistance Grant, Bright Foundation Scholarship, All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, and others.

Learn more about Loras College at the Francis J. Noonan School of Business website.

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