[Writing this as I sit in tech.]
I don't know much about Loyola (I really should get around to seeing one of their shows so I can get a better understanding of the quality theatre they produce..) but I can tell you about DePaul!
I'm a second year in DePaul's Lighting Design program, and I can't tell you how much I love it here. They don't hesitate to throw you into a show and get you involved. All LD and Theater Tech majors are required to help hang, focus, and strike certain shows in addition to their regular production practice. We're given three shows a year to work on, and I guarantee you'll leave with plenty of experience under your belt. There's a lot I could say, but I'm not sure if you have any specific questions I can answer... and I should refrain from letting myself ramble too much. I will say that you'll gain many ties to the larger world of theatre right off the bat (ex. Kevin Depinet, who worked on August Osage County, teaches Technical Drawing 1).
Feel free to throw me any specific questions about the program.
Like others are saying, visit the schools! It adds more cost to the already pricy process of applying to colleges, but it really helped solidify my decision.