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Colleges / University of Chicago

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate5%

About UChicago

Chartered in 1890, the University of Chicago’s approximately 6,800 undergraduates comprise a community of exceptional student scholars who choose UChicago for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum, small discussion-style seminars and 5:1 student-faculty ratio. Students also prepare for challenging careers and competitive graduate schools through professional and recreational opportunities on campus and in Chicago. Focused on careful reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking, UChicago’s Core Curriculum is the perfect foundation for any major and all future endeavors. With over 50 majors and more than 40 minors, students can double-major, create their own major, or explore interdisciplinary opportunities. Undergraduates choose electives from more than 3,000 courses offered in the College each year, and over 40% study abroad through nearly 60 faculty-designed and taught programs. UChicago also sponsors a wealth of undergraduate research opportunities in all subjects.

School profile media

From University of Chicago

A University of Chicago education is about more than gaining a set of skills or honing the ability to think critically. It is a way of experiencing and moving through the world: interest in a lifelong dialogue across cultures and disciplines, inclination to ask good questions, and willingness to change perspective after encountering new ideas.

Community starts at UChicago by sharing a common space and a common spirit. Our residential Houses become a home the minute you set foot on campus. And with over 450 student activities and a campus alive with yearly events and wild traditions, the question isn’t if you’ll get involved, but how.

University of Chicago Overview

University of Chicago is a private, nonprofit school in an urban setting in Chicago, Illinois. UChicago was founded in 1890 and now enrolls around 15,278 students a year, including 6,989 undergrads. UChicago provides on-campus housing for up to 4,532 students.

There are many ways for students to get involved at UChicago! Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of UChicago's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? UChicago students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Thinking of pledging? UChicago has fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? UChicago has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at UChicago on the Student Life page.

Learn more about life at UChicago on the Student Life page.

Mark your calendar! The deadline to apply regular decision to UChicago for Fall 2022 is January 4. Regular decision applicants for Fall 2022 should find out if they got admitted by March 31.

2021 UChicago Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar Quarter
Overall Acceptance Rate 7%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate N/A
Early Action Acceptance Rate N/A
Average GPA 4.2
Applicants Submitting SAT scores 41%
Tuition $59,256
Percent of Need Met 100%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package $60,875

Is UChicago a Good School?

There is no one way to define a "good" college or university. Admissions difficulty and admitted student statistics can give you a sense of how selective a university is, but they don't tell you how happy or successful students are. There are a few statistics that can give you a good idea of how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its students.

Let's take a look at all of these areas to get a better sense of what UChicago offers and if it might be the right college for you.

2021 Acceptance Rate for University of Chicago

It is extremely difficult to get into UChicago. UChicago admitted 7% of all applicants in 2021. Out of 34,350 applications received in 2021, 2,510 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at UChicago

Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Out of all the first-year, full-time undergrads who start at UChicago, around 99% come back their sophomore year. Around 96% of students who started at UChicago earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for UChicago Grads

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school.

Check with UChicago directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

UChicago's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students. UChicago's endowment was valued at $8.2 billion in 2021, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, UChicago spends about $86,008 a year.

Tuition and Financial Aid at UChicago

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. UChicago meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $60,875 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $26,560 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021

Some aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at UChicago. Based on this information, how does UChicago sound? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may not be the right school for someone else! So ask yourself: Is UChicago a good school for you?

If University of Chicago seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Doing Your Research?

To learn more about UChicago, choose from the options below:

Admissions

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

UChicago Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to take a data science look at your chances of getting admitted to some of the best schools in the U.S.

Where is UChicago?

UChicago is located in the urban setting of Chicago, Illinois.

If you want to see UChicago for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 94 to Chicago, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Chicago Midway Airport.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what UChicago and Chicago are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges and Universities in Illinois?

See a full list of colleges in Illinois and save your favorites to your college list.

College Info

5801 South Ellis Avenue Chicago, IL 60637-1513

Campus Setting: Urban

UChicago Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Not available

Transfer Applications are Due

Not available

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

University of Chicago is a member of the Coalition for College.

More than an application, the Coalition provides free tools and resources to help students through the college admissions process, beginning as early as 9th grade.

Learn More

UChicago SAT Scores

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Composite SAT Range

1510 - 1560

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Math SAT Range

760 - 800

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Reading SAT Range

740 - 780

UChicago Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$86,640

In State

$86,640

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$63,801
$63,801
Fees
$1,818
$1,818
Housing
$19,221
$19,221
Books
$1,800
$1,800

Find Scholarships That Fit You

Want funding for college that doesn't need to be paid back? Explore College Confidential's new scholarship tool and search for scholarships that are tailored to you.

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Student Life

Wondering what life at UChicago is like? There are approximately 15,946 students enrolled at UChicago, including 7,500 undergraduate students and 8,446 graduate students. 99% percent of students attend school full-time, 19% percent are from IL and 81% percent of students are from other states.

99%

Full Time

0.20%

Part Time

19%

In State

81%

Out-of-State

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

15,946

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

5%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$65,619

Out-of-State

$65,619

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Unknown
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