University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
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- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
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- Graduation Rate
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- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Life at PME combines the intensity of a small, elite engineering program with the intellectual diversity of a major research university. Graduate students typically spend substantial time in laboratories housed in the William Eckhardt Research Center, a striking building designed to foster collaboration through shared spaces and transparent design. Housing options include university apartments in Hyde Park, with many students choosing to live in the surrounding neighborhood's Victorian homes converted to apartments. The intimate program size creates strong cohort connections, with students across research areas regularly interacting through seminars, social events, and shared facilities. The broader University of Chicago community offers hundreds of student organizations, though PME students often focus on engineering-specific groups and research collaborations. Chicago provides world-class cultural amenities including the Art Institute, Symphony Orchestra, and vibrant music scenes from blues to hip-hop. Sports culture centers on intellectual engagement rather than athletic spectacle, though fitness facilities and intramural options are available. The Hyde Park neighborhood offers local dining, bookshops, and parks along the lakefront, creating a self-contained community while the broader city remains accessible via public transit. Diversity initiatives focus on recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in engineering. Common challenges include the demanding academic culture, Chicago's cold winters, and the intensity of research-focused graduate programs.
Location & Surroundings
PME's Hyde Park location situates students in a distinctive Chicago neighborhood combining urban amenities with intellectual community. The University of Chicago campus occupies much of Hyde Park, approximately seven miles south of downtown Chicago, creating an academic village within the larger city. Lake Michigan provides the eastern boundary, with the lakefront trail offering running, cycling, and scenic relief from laboratory work. Chicago's continental climate features cold winters with temperatures regularly below freezing and significant snowfall, balanced by pleasant springs and falls and summer humidity. Public transportation via the CTA bus system and Metra commuter rail connects Hyde Park to downtown and other neighborhoods, though service frequency is lower than in central Chicago. O'Hare International Airport lies approximately 45 minutes to an hour from campus depending on traffic, with Midway Airport offering a closer alternative for domestic travel. Cost of living in Chicago is lower than coastal cities, with Hyde Park offering more affordable housing than downtown neighborhoods. The neighborhood has experienced significant development in recent years, with new restaurants and businesses complementing established institutions. Safety perceptions of the South Side require nuanced understanding, with the university investing heavily in security while students learn to navigate urban environments appropriately. Downtown Chicago's cultural institutions, restaurants, and entertainment options are accessible when desired, while Hyde Park's bookstores, cafes, and intellectual atmosphere often satisfy daily needs.
Costs & Career Outcomes
PME Ph.D. students receive full funding packages including tuition coverage, health insurance, and competitive stipends currently exceeding $40,000 annually. This financial support typically continues for five to six years, enabling students to focus on research without financial constraint. Undergraduate students pay standard University of Chicago tuition, currently approximately $65,000 annually before financial aid, with substantial need-based aid available for admitted students. Living costs in Hyde Park are moderate by university standards, with students budgeting approximately $1,500-2,000 monthly for rent, food, and personal expenses. The university's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need results in many undergraduates paying significantly less than sticker price. Career outcomes for PME graduates span academic, industry, and entrepreneurial paths. Ph.D. graduates have placed at leading research universities, national laboratories, and technology companies including Google, Apple, and pharmaceutical firms. The quantum engineering focus positions graduates for the emerging quantum technology industry, with companies actively recruiting specialists in this field. Starting salaries for industry positions typically range from $120,000 to $180,000 for Ph.D. holders, while postdoctoral positions offer lower initial compensation with academic career preparation. Undergraduate career outcomes show strong graduate school placement and industry employment in technology, consulting, and research roles. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship supports students interested in commercializing research, with PME-associated startups already attracting venture capital. Career services provide individual counseling, employer connections, and professional development programming throughout student tenure.
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