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University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois 60637

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

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Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings

University of Chicago is a private urban institution in Chicago, Illinois. Admission is competitive, with an average SAT of 1554.

A mid-sized campus of 7.5K undergraduates with a 5:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

95% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $91,885 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,967.

Established
1890
Motto
Crescat scientia; vita excolatur
Mascot
Phil the Phoenix
Type
Private research university
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

5%Acceptance
1554SAT Avg
7,540Students
5:1Student:Faculty
95%Grad Rate
$91,885Earnings 10yr
$18,967Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate4.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1554

Reading & WritingMid: 760
740770
MathMid: 785
770800

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 34
3435

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$66,939
Room & Board$19,221
Books & Supplies$1,800
Total Cost of Attendance$86,856
Average Net Price$18,967
Median Debt at Graduation$15,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$159

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K-$1,428
$30–48K-$294
$48–75K$770
$75–110K$12,816
$110K+$54,800

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

95.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$13,368

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

57

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

15

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

5

Motor Vehicle Theft

6

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

15

Drug Arrests

11

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (192)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

99%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
7,540
Gender Split
47% / 53%
Women / Men
First Generation
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
14%

Race & Ethnicity

White 31%
Black 7%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 20%
Two+ 7%
Int'l 16%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate94.9%
Freshman Retention99.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$80,870
10 Years$91,885

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#6
vs 2024
Forbes
#13
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#54
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Maroons

BasketballRugby competesClub alsoRugby

History & Fun Facts

  • The first University of Chicago was founded by a small group of Baptist educators and incorporated in 1857 after a land endowment from Senator Stephen A.
  • Douglas and a fundraising campaign directed by the first president of the institution, John C.
  • It closed in 1886 after decades of financial struggle, exacerbated by the Great Chicago Fire and the Panic of 1873, when the university's property was foreclosed on by its creditors.
  • Early years Wikisource has the text of a 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article about the founding and early years.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112High

Estimated from IL state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M
6 mi(10 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
88 mi(153 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
159 mi(276 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare20 mi
MKE Milwaukee82 mi
IND Indianapolis159 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
New York, NY709 mi · ~20h 29m drive
Hartford, CT768 mi · ~22h 11m drive
Providence, RI832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Albany, NY710 mi · ~20h 31m drive
Syracuse, NY590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Rochester, NY518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Buffalo, NY452 mi · ~13h 3m drive
Philadelphia, PA661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
Harrisburg, PA568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Newark, NJ700 mi · ~20h 13m drive
Washington, DC590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Baltimore, MD602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
Atlanta, GA582 mi · ~16h 49m drive
Charlotte, NC582 mi · ~16h 49m drive
Raleigh, NC636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
Miami, FL1185 mi · ~34h 14m drive
Orlando, FL980 mi · ~28h 19m drive
Tampa, FL999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
Nashville, TN391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
New Orleans, LA829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Richmond, VA615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Chicago, IL6 mi · ~10 min drive
Detroit, MI237 mi · ~6h 51m drive
Minneapolis, MN360 mi · ~10h 24m drive
St. Louis, MO258 mi · ~7h 27m drive
Kansas City, MO411 mi · ~11h 52m drive
Indianapolis, IN159 mi · ~4h 36m drive
Columbus, OH271 mi · ~7h 50m drive
Cleveland, OH305 mi · ~8h 49m drive
Milwaukee, WI88 mi · ~2h 33m drive
Dallas, TX801 mi · ~23h 8m drive
Houston, TX937 mi · ~27h 4m drive
Austin, TX976 mi · ~28h 12m drive
San Antonio, TX1049 mi · ~30h 18m drive
Los Angeles, CA1743 mi · ~50h 21m drive
San Francisco, CA1857 mi · ~53h 39m drive
San Diego, CA1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Seattle, WA1737 mi · ~50h 11m drive
Portland, OR1758 mi · ~50h 47m drive
Denver, CO919 mi · ~26h 33m drive
Phoenix, AZ1452 mi · ~41h 57m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1259 mi · ~36h 22m drive
Honolulu, HI4251 mi · ~122h 48m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Chicago Application Checklist

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