Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Chicago , IL
The University of Chicago, located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and intellectual rigor. Established in 1890, it is a prestigious private research university consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world. The university's distinctive approach to education is characterized by its strong emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and intellectual debate.
At the heart of the University of Chicago is its strong commitment to academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the arts and sciences, business, law, medicine, and social sciences. With a low student-faculty ratio, students have ample opportunities to engage with renowned scholars and experts in their fields. The university is well-known for its rigorous and demanding curriculum, encouraging students to think independently and critically.
Moreover, the University of Chicago is renowned for its vibrant intellectual culture. The university takes pride in fostering an environment of scholarly debate and open discourse, encouraging students to challenge conventional wisdom and explore new ideas. The renowned Core Curriculum is a hallmark of the university's commitment to a well-rounded education, exposing students to a wide range of disciplines like literature, history, social sciences, natural sciences, and arts.
With its vibrant intellectual atmosphere, commitment to academic excellence, and diverse range of programs, the University of Chicago attracts students from around the world who are seeking an intellectually stimulating and transformative educational experience. As an institution, the university champions a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation, inspiring its students to achieve academic and personal greatness.
Located in Chicago, IL and set in an urban environment, University of Chicago is a private university. This school follows a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 4%. The freshman retention rate at University of Chicago is 99% and the six-year graduation rate is 96%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 5. Read more about what you can expect if you get into University of Chicago.
Quick Facts
7,519
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,325
Tuition
5:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
96%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some essential data about admission at University of Chicago.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,955 in 2025.
Test Scores
49% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 27% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 98.82% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 1.18% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 99.57 and 0.43 between 24-29.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4.97. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 5.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Chicago was 99%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 96%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the optimal place for you is not simple. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 16,221 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 85% for that year. There was a total of 7,519 undergrad students, including 1,319 international students. 231 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 6,882 male and 6,189 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Chicago.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,455, while the number of Black American students was 514. 1,265 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 526 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 205 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Chicago? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $71,325 in 2025. As University of Chicago is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,941.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,800.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At University of Chicago, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $20,835. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,522.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,325 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,835 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,800 |
| Total Expense | $ 93,960 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at University of Chicago.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 570 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $78,883 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,576 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of Chicago is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 2,589. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $11,465,661, and state $1,817,200. The students of University of Chicago received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $171,230,183, and external in the amount of $3,539,393.
$16,290
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
554 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 118 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $15,289,174. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,207,244 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
5:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Chicago was 5:1. That means that there were 5 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 2,007 faculty members. This number included 1,235 male and 772 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about campus life at University of Chicago.
Its campus is 217 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
This school has 400 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Other popular student organizations at this school are Model United Nations and University Theatre.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? University of Chicago publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
-
University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL.
-
University of Chicago offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 71,325 USD per academic year for University of Chicago.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of Chicago is 4%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of Chicago is 99%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
