<p>Too tired to read through all the posts, but here’s my two cents:</p>
<p>-If you want to be a superstar in your field (which you said you don’t), then you can get into a good grad school from Loyola. Why? Because grad adcoms know it’s a good school, and they don’t consider you inferior to any top 30 undergrad. Even if you don’t plan to go to grad school, the message is the same: Even the adcoms at prestigious schools know that prestigious schools are by NO MEANS the only schools providing exemplary educations.</p>
<p>-If you’re planning to stay in IL, then Loyola’s probably just as beneficial as U of C or Northwestern. For people who don’t go on to get grad degrees, most college degrees weight about the same in local settings. I don’t have stats, just empirical evidence: Two of the wealthiest people I know are proud U of South Carolina grads. Obviously, they weren’t beat out for jobs by Chapel Hill or Duke grads; they made it to where they are with a fairly unspectacular undergrad record and a decent grasp of social skills. You don’t have to go to a top school, nor do you have to “compensate” for Loyola with superstar-dom. Your degree is an accomplishment to any extent. Be proud, and Loyola is no shabby school! (BTW, the Harvard dad I know is making about as much money as the USC grads and doesn’t seem straight-off-the-bat more intelligent. Degrees are no indicator of intelligence, just of how motivated you are at homework!)</p>