University of Chicago
A Hyde Park research university built around the Core curriculum and a culture of rigorous argument.
- Acceptance rate
- 4.5%
- Class of 2029 (entered fall 2025)
- Students
- 16,406
- 7,453 undergraduates
- Student–faculty
- 7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $75,960
- International undergraduates · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1890
About UChicago
The University of Chicago was founded in 1890 with money from John D. Rockefeller and has a reputation as one of the most intellectually intense universities in the United States. It enrolls about 7,500 undergraduates in the College and about 9,000 graduate students across four graduate divisions and professional schools such as the Booth School of Business, the Law School and the Harris School of Public Policy. Its main campus is in Hyde Park on Chicago's South Side, about 8 miles from downtown.
Every undergraduate takes the Core, a common curriculum of about 15 courses across seven areas, taught mainly in small, discussion-based seminars, alongside a language requirement. Students then choose among 53 majors and 47 minors, and over 80 percent take part in research. The university's scientific record is unusual: the first human-made, self-sustaining nuclear reaction (Chicago Pile-1) happened here in 1942, UChicago manages Argonne National Laboratory and co-manages Fermilab, and 101 Nobel laureates are affiliated with it.
UChicago suits students who enjoy reading closely, arguing about ideas and working hard, and who like a quirky, self-aware campus culture. The academic year runs on quarters, so terms are fast. Aid is generous: families earning under $250,000 with typical assets receive free tuition and fees.
Crescat scientia; vita excolatur
“Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched” — university motto
Why students choose UChicago
The Core curriculum: small, discussion-based seminars shared by every undergraduate regardless of major.
Free tuition and fees for families earning under $250,000 and free tuition, fees, housing and meals under $125,000 (typical assets), with no loans in aid packages.
Research access through Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab; more than 80 percent of undergraduates do research.
More than 450 recognized student organizations and traditions like the four-day Scavenger Hunt.
Admissions
Class of 2029 (entered fall 2025)
About 1 in 22 applicants is admitted
2,039 admitted from 45,533 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
UChicago enrolled 1,786 first-year students in fall 2025.
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 27 daysNovember 2, 2026
Decisions mid-December; reply by mid-January.
- Early Action Non-binding In 27 daysNovember 2, 2026
Non-binding; decisions mid-December; reply by May 1.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 4, 2027
Decisions mid-February; reply by mid-March.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 4, 2027
Decisions late March; reply by May 1.
Deferred Early Action or Regular Decision applicants can switch to Early Decision II until January 15; switching from Early Action to Early Decision I is possible until December 1.
How to apply
Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge plus the UChicago Supplement (a 'Why UChicago' essay and one extended essay chosen from UChicago's famously unusual prompts); school report and transcript; two teacher recommendations; optional SAT/ACT; optional two-minute video introduction in place of an interview; no application fee for students applying for need-based aid.
What admissions looks for
- How UChicago, as you know it, satisfies your desire for a particular kind of learning, community and future (the required 'Why UChicago' question).
- Intellectual playfulness and depth shown in the extended essay, answered from UChicago's own set of prompts.
- Academic context: your record is read in the context of your school and country's education system.
- Engagement beyond class, from summer pursuits to activities that genuinely interest you.
Tips for applying to UChicago
- 1 Take the extended essay seriously and have fun with it; the prompts are deliberately unusual and are UChicago's main window into how you think.
- 2 Only submit SAT/ACT scores if they strengthen your file; under the No Harm policy, scores are used only if they help.
- 3 There is no interview, but you can upload an optional two-minute video introduction.
- 4 Consider Early Decision II (January 4) if UChicago becomes your first choice after November; deferred EA applicants can switch to ED II until January 15.
- 5 International applicants who may need aid at any point must apply for it before admission.
What are your chances?
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Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
UChicago meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students, with grants rather than loans. It guarantees free tuition, fees, housing and meals for families earning under $125,000 with typical assets, and free tuition and fees under $250,000.
- Free tuition and fees
- Family income under $250,000 (typical assets)
- Free tuition, fees, housing and meals
- Family income under $125,000 (typical assets)
- $2,715
- Required fees, first-year (2026-27)
- $1,800 books; $702 transport; $1,950 other
- Estimated books, transport and other expenses (CDS)
Academics
Academic calendar: Quarters (autumn, winter, spring, plus summer)
The Core
A common curriculum of about 15 courses across seven subjects, taken by every undergraduate.
Economics
Connected to the Booth School and the Chicago tradition in economics; Satya Nadella earned his MBA at Booth.
Physics and Astronomy
Home of Chicago Pile-1, with alumni including Edwin Hubble and Carl Sagan.
Molecular Engineering
Offered through the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, one of the university's newest schools.
Political Science
Bernie Sanders earned his B.A. in political science here in 1964.
Research
- Chicago Pile-1, the world's first human-made, self-sustaining nuclear reaction, in 1942.
- Manages Argonne National Laboratory and co-manages Fermilab.
- Radiocarbon dating developed by Willard Libby in 1946 and the discovery of REM sleep in 1953.
Schools & faculties
- The College
- Biological Sciences Division
- Humanities Division
- Physical Sciences Division
- Social Sciences Division
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
- Booth School of Business
- Law School
- Pritzker School of Medicine
- Harris School of Public Policy
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
- Divinity School
Student life
UChicago's campus is a collection of Gothic quadrangles in Hyde Park, with the Midway Plaisance running along its southern edge. The student culture is famously nerdy and proud of it. The annual Scavenger Hunt gives teams four days to build, invent and perform items from a sprawling list, Kuvia has students doing sunrise exercises in the depths of winter, and Summer Breeze brings a carnival to the Main Quad and a concert to Hutch Courtyard. O-Week has welcomed new students since 1934, and athletics are NCAA Division III in the University Athletic Association.
- Scav Hunt, the four-day Scavenger Hunt that spills across Chicago.
- Kuvia, a winter festival of early-morning exercise.
- Summer Breeze carnival and concert.
- 450+ recognized student organizations, with University Theater the largest.
- NCAA Division III athletics in the University Athletic Association.
Location
Hyde Park is a leafy, historic neighbourhood on Chicago's South Side, next to Lake Michigan and about 8 miles south of downtown. The Metra Electric line and buses reach the Loop in around 15 to 20 minutes, giving students access to one of America's great cities for museums, music, food and internships. Lakefront parks and beaches are a short walk from campus. Winters are very cold and windy; summers are warm.
Nearest airport: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW); O'Hare International (ORD) for international flights
Notable alumni
- BS Bernie SandersU.S. Senator from Vermont; B.A. in political science 1964
- SS Susan SontagEssayist and novelist; A.B.
- CS Carl SaganAstronomer and science communicator; B.S. 1955, M.S. 1956, Ph.D. 1960
- EH Edwin HubbleAstronomer who showed the universe is expanding; B.S. 1910 and Ph.D.
- JP John Paul StevensU.S. Supreme Court Justice; B.A. 1941
- SN Satya NadellaCEO of Microsoft; MBA, Booth School of Business 1997
Frequently asked questions
What is UChicago's acceptance rate?
For the Class of 2029, UChicago admitted 2,039 of 45,533 applicants, about 4.5%, according to its 2025-26 Common Data Set.
Is UChicago test-optional?
Yes. Submitting the SAT or ACT is optional, and under the No Harm policy scores are only used if they help. Enrolled students who submitted scores had a middle 50% of 1500-1560 on the SAT and 34-35 on the ACT.
What are UChicago's application deadlines?
Early Decision I and Early Action are due November 2, 2026; Early Decision II and Regular Decision are due January 4, 2027. Both ED rounds are binding.
Does UChicago interview applicants?
No. Interviews are not part of the process, but you may submit an optional two-minute video introduction.
How much does UChicago cost?
Tuition for 2026-27 is $75,960, plus $2,715 in first-year fees and $21,414 for food and housing. Families earning under $250,000 with typical assets receive free tuition.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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