You're probably looking for a quick zip code. Or maybe you're stuck in Chicago traffic trying to figure out which campus your GPS is actually taking you to. Most people type in Loyola University of Chicago address and expect a single pin on a map. Chicago doesn't work like that. Loyola is split across the city in a way that can be deeply confusing if you aren't familiar with the "L" train or the lakefront.
If you need the main, "scenic" spot—the one with the massive glass library right on Lake Michigan—that is the Lake Shore Campus. It is located at 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660. Honestly, if you are visiting for the first time, this is where you want to be. It's beautiful. But if you’re a law student or heading to a business meeting, you’re likely looking for the Water Tower Campus at 820 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
Getting these mixed up happens all the time. I've seen plenty of frustrated parents wandering around the Magnificent Mile looking for the quad, only to realize they are seven miles south of where the actual dorms are.
The Lake Shore Campus: 1032 W. Sheridan Rd
This is the heart of the university. It sits right in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods. It's a weird intersection. Sheridan Road basically curves around the lake, and the university occupies this prime real estate where the city noise starts to fade into the sound of waves.
The Loyola University of Chicago address for this campus is more of a gateway than a single building. When you arrive at 1032 W. Sheridan, you're looking at the Centennial Forum and the Damen Student Center area. It's bustling. Students are everywhere.
What makes this location unique?
💡 You might also like: Leonardo da Vinci Grave: The Messy Truth About Where the Genius Really Lies
- The CTA Red Line "Loyola" stop is literally steps from the main entrance. You don't even need a car.
- The Mundelein Center is a massive Art Deco skyscraper that you can't miss.
- The Information Commons offers a view of Lake Michigan that makes it hard to actually study because you're just staring at the water.
If you are sending mail to a student living in a dorm here, don't just use the Sheridan Road address. Each residence hall has its own specific street number. For example, Mertz Hall is at 1125 W. Loyola Ave. If you send a care package to the main administrative address, it's going to take forever to get to the student. Check the specific hall list on the Loyola ResLife page first.
The Water Tower Campus: 820 N. Michigan Ave
Now, let's talk about the downtown vibe. The Water Tower Campus is tucked right behind the historic Chicago Water Tower. It's urban. There are no grassy quads here. Instead, you have high-rise buildings like Corboy Law Center and the Quinlan School of Business.
The official Loyola University of Chicago address for this downtown hub is 820 N. Michigan Ave. However, most students actually enter through the 26 E. Pearson St entrance. It's a bit of a "local knowledge" thing. If you're heading to the School of Communication or the School of Social Work, this is your destination.
Parking here is a nightmare. Truly. If you can avoid driving to the Michigan Avenue location, do it. The Red Line "Chicago" stop is a few blocks away, and it's a much better way to travel between the two main campuses. Loyola even runs a shuttle bus—the "Intercampus Shuttle"—that moves students and staff back and forth. You'll see these white and maroon buses constantly zooming up and down Lake Shore Drive.
The Health Sciences Campus in Maywood
This is where things get really confusing for people who aren't from Illinois. There is a third major site. It isn't even in Chicago. The Health Sciences Campus, home to the Stritch School of Medicine and the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, is located in Maywood, a suburb to the west.
📖 Related: Johnny's Reef on City Island: What People Get Wrong About the Bronx’s Iconic Seafood Spot
The address is 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153.
If you have a medical residency interview or a nursing clinical, and you show up at the Sheridan Road address in Rogers Park, you are going to be at least 45 minutes late. Traffic on the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) is legendary for being terrible. Plan accordingly. This campus is integrated with the Loyola University Medical Center, so it feels much more like a hospital environment than a traditional college campus.
Which Address Do You Actually Need?
It depends on your "why."
- Admissions Tours: Almost always start at the Lake Shore Campus (1032 W. Sheridan Rd). This is where the Sullivan Center for Student Services is located.
- Basketball Games: You want the Gentile Arena. The address is 6525 N. Winthrop Ave. It’s part of the Lake Shore Campus, but Winthrop is a side street.
- Transcripts and Records: Most of these offices are in the Sullivan Center at the Lake Shore location, but many services have moved online or have satellite offices at the Water Tower.
- The Museum of Art (LUMA): This is at the Water Tower Campus, specifically 820 N. Michigan Ave. It’s a great, quiet spot in the middle of the city's busiest shopping district.
Misconceptions About the Location
A common mistake is thinking Loyola is in a "college town" bubble. It’s not. The Lake Shore Campus is deeply integrated into Rogers Park. You’ll see neighbors walking their dogs through the campus and local residents using the library. It's a "city-integrated" campus.
Another weird quirk? The John Felice Rome Center. Technically, Loyola has an address in Italy (Via Massimi 114-114A, Rome, Italy). Probably not what you were looking for if you're trying to find a place to park your car in Illinois, but it's a huge part of the university's identity.
👉 See also: Is Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives Actually Worth the Trip to Ari Atoll?
Navigating Between the Locations
If you're a student, you're going to spend a lot of time on the Intercampus Shuttle. It's free with your student ID (U-Pass). The ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how aggressive the traffic is on Lake Shore Drive. On a snowy January day? It might take an hour.
For visitors, I'd suggest the Red Line. It links the Lake Shore (Loyola stop) and Water Tower (Chicago stop) campuses perfectly. Plus, you get a great view of the city's north side neighborhoods like Uptown and Lakeview along the way.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you are planning to visit or send something to a Loyola University of Chicago address, follow these steps to ensure you don't end up in the wrong part of the state:
- Verify the School: Business, Law, and Communication are Downtown (Water Tower). Arts, Sciences, and basic undergrad classes are Lake Shore. Medicine and Nursing are in Maywood.
- Check the Building Name: Use the official Loyola campus map rather than just Google Maps. Google often defaults to the Sheridan Road address for everything, which can be misleading.
- Mail with Care: If mailing to a student, include the Residence Hall name and the specific room number. The Mailroom at 1032 W. Sheridan handles a lot, but specificity prevents your package from ending up in a "lost" pile.
- Parking Prep: For Lake Shore, use the P1 Parking Garage at 1110 W. Sheridan Rd. For Water Tower, use public transit or be prepared to pay $30+ for a private lot nearby.
Honestly, once you get there, it’s easy to navigate. The Lake Shore Campus is compact enough to walk across in ten minutes. The Water Tower Campus is basically three buildings within a two-block radius. Just make sure you're in the right neighborhood before you hop out of your Uber.