Overview
University of Chicago
University of Chicago

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA
Private
4 Year
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Overview

An Educational Ideal

A liberal arts college amidst a world-renowned research university, the University of Chicago offers a dynamic education, where over 7,000 students from 50 states and 100 countries encounter great thinkers, sharpen critical thinking skills, and engage in the life of the mind. With small, discussion-based classes and a strong commitment to free expression, UChicago encourages academic exploration and open discussion in a supportive and transformative community.

Academics & Research Opportunities

UChicago’s Core curriculum is an introduction to the tools of inquiry used in every discipline and is the perfect foundation for any major—and for all future endeavors. Complementing the breadth of the Core curriculum, 50 majors and minors, as well as dozens of areas of specialized study, encourage students to explore their academic interests. On-campus experiences are also supplemented by more than 60 study-abroad programs.

80% of UChicago students choose to do research in programs ranging from economics and cinema studies to astrophysics and sociology. More than 160 institutes and centers provide a home for true innovation. Our Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering provides a unique opportunity to pursue molecular-level science in both an academic and research context.

Campus Life

University of Chicago students are a community of scholars with a global perspective. A UChicago student’s first community is one of 48 College Houses, where they live, learn, and grow alongside a hundred or so residents who represent a cross-section of the diverse student body. Each House has a dedicated House table in one of the dining halls, extensive student and residential staff, and strong traditions—from Broomball tournaments to weekly tea-times to sunrise plunges in Lake Michigan.

Undergraduates actively participate in more than 450 student organizations encompassing athletics, the arts, community service, and Greek life. Varsity teams compete at the NCAA Division III level, and more than 70% of the student body participates in UChicago’s extensive intramural and club sports programs.

Financial Support

UChicago is committed to ensuring students graduate debt-free by meeting 100% of their demonstrated need. Families who apply for financial aid do not pay an application fee to UChicago. Students from families earning less than $60,000 per year attend UChicago for free, including free housing and food. Students from families earning less than $125,000 receive free tuition to UChicago. Additionally, loan-free financial aid packages means that UChicago's need-based financial aid is awarded as scholarships and grants—which do not need to be repaid—ensuring UChicago students are prepared for success after graduation without the burden of student debt influencing their future.

Acceptance Rate:
5%
Average Net Price:
$36,584
Campus Setting:
Major city
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
36
Average SAT Composite
1528

Virtual Tour

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$36,584
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$65,619
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$65,619
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$19,221
Books and Supplies
$1800

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
13%
Average Aid Per Year
$48,422
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
13%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,527
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$44,679

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
7%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$12,150
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$156

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

See your fit
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
5%
Acceptance Rate
Get your chances

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
12%
Out-Of-State Students
85%
32%
Submitting ACT
52%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 36
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1528
0
1600

Admissions Resources

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
18,339
Total Number of Undergrads
7,595
0
100
91%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
96%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
5:1
US National: 21:1

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
106

Faculty Overview

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
53%
 US National: 44%
47%
 US National: 56%
Residency
In-State Students
12%
Out-Of-State Students
85%

Housing

0
100
55%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Maroons
School Colors
maroon
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Midwest Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$103,000

REVIEWS

Read What Students Are Saying
The classes are very educational and require a lot of focus. The best part is the university understands this, and so there are a lot of opportunities to get help from free tutors and TA's almost every day throughout the quarter.
Faisal from Los Angeles, CA
The University of Chicago is an institution focused on rigorous inquiry and the life of the mind; that is, the University encourages thoughtful exploration of game-changing theories, beliefs, etc. Academics are the University's number one strength, and success won't happen here without diligence, persistence, and self-motivation. The University caters to very specific individuals: those who believe knowledge has no lower or upper bounds and are willing to take the plunge into the delicate abstractions that contribute to our understanding of the world.
Student from Aurora, IL
Even though I'm only taking 3 classes this quarter (3 or 4 qualify as full time), it's definitely a sizable load. The 10 week quarter has gone by extremely fast, with tons of material covered every week. The pace is great for an avid learner, and if you are taking courses you are interested in, you will have plenty of opportunity to learn more than what's in the textbook. Even outside of class, everyone has a passion for knowledge that easily rubs off on you, and learning becomes a full-time activity. For example, at a party at the end of 3rd week, I got a rundown of the history of the Irish Civil War over beers while at a party.
Michael from Washington
It's called restricted access. It's amazing, we learn everything from a primary angle; our professors wrote the textbooks that students at other colleges study from.
Margaret from Oak Park, MI
Though I had the fortune of being able to decide between the University and several other schools - chief among them Cornell University - I realized that the caliber of Chicago's Economics and Political Science programs far exceeds that of Cornell's. However, my decision delved much deeper than surface-level comparisons of U.S. News & World Report program rankings.

Unlike any ivy league school, the University of Chicago is the birthplace of one of America's most influential schools of economic thought. It is the collegiate home of Milton Friedman; it is the hub of Monetarist thought; it is the school where Freakonomics author Steven Levitt teaches, and where any aspiring economist, attorney, or even investment banker should aspire to learn.
Anastasia from Naperville, IL
The University of Chicago is an urban neighborhood filled with Gothic architecture and students passionate about learning. While the workload at times feels unbearable, getting to learn from some of the best professors in the field makes up for it. The community at the university is like no others, filled with a diverse group of people dedicated to not only academics but bettering the city and, in some cases, the world.
Alana from Benton Harbor, MI
The U of C is focused on academic rigor and, as they frequently talk about, the life of the mind. It's an incredibly intellectual school in a fun neighborhood in an amazing city. At UChicago, you will be encouraged to learn a lot, but you will also experience one of the most important cities in America.
Every course I am enrolled in opens my mind to new vistas of knowledge. The instructors can be, at times, too involved in the coursework, but they make up for it in passion and quality. The defining characteristic of academics at UChicago is that everyone is really passionate about what they are studying. People come here to get a world-class education, and it shows.
Xavier from Fort Wayne, IN
The Core Curriculum grants students the opportunity to experience the different fields of study and the various departments available. Once you decide which course you want to take for an intended major, there is generally a numerous amount of electives for your major that enable you to delve further into your intended area of study. Not only this, but you are able to specify your intended major by choosing speciality electives within your major that may be of particular interest.
The courses are definitely challenging and force you to think analytically and critically about the material, but this provides students with the necessary tools to succeed in life outside of class such as internships and jobs. Despite the challenges and the difficulties of the coursework, the classes and the school provide the resources to succeed. The relationship between students and professors is not only confined to the classroom, but professors are often available for office hours and individual appointments as well. There are tutors available as well.
Gabrielle from Chicago, IL
UChicago is definitely a place blooming with innovation and a truly visible love for academia. Students here spend all night and day in the library, opt not to sleep, and still read for fun regardless of the academic rigor. The activism on campus also brings a robust interaction between students and the surrounding community, fighting for justice and equality to enhance all areas of life for the citizens of this nation.
Cosette from Chicago, IL
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