Chicago Loop is Illinois’ Biggest College Town

Students at Chicago Loop colleges and universities look for public transportation, parking, safety and affordable housing as critical issues.

You may not think of Chicago’s Loop as the largest “college town” in Illinois, but according to a comprehensive study of higher education institutions in the Loop, Chicago’s downtown colleges and universities, with their 50,000+ students actually brings that distinct badge of honor.

The study also revealed how these educational institutions have a significant impact on the area’s retail, restaurant, real estate and construction industries, as well as affect the overall character of the downtown as a destination for work, play and residence.

In addition to generating capital projects that promote development, historic building preservation and job creation, the collective institutions represent one of Chicago’s top 25 employers and generate upwards of $775 million in direct and indirect economic activity annually.