DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · CHICAGO, IL · PRIVATE

University of Chicago

University of Chicago
4.8%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
58
FIT
REACH
University of Chicago is a reach for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
4.8%
of 38,631 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$91,885
across all majors
01

University of Chicago at a Glance

21,578
Total Enrollment
$15,000
Median Debt
14.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Chicago

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading740770755
SAT Math770800785
SAT Total151015701540
ACT Composite343534

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received38,631
Students Admitted1,849
Students Enrolled1,626
Yield Rate87.9%

University of Chicago Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #12 2025
QS World University Rankings #21 2025
THE World University Rankings #13 2025
ARWU (Shanghai) #10 2024
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#4 #3 #3 #3 #6 #6 #6 #6 #12 #12

US News National Universities: #4 (2016) → #12 (2025) ↓ 8 spots

University of Chicago Overview

University of Chicago is a private university in Chicago, IL with 21,578 students. With a 4.8% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Mathematics/Statistics, and Biological Sciences.

Full NameUniversity of Chicago
LocationChicago, IL 60637
TypePrivate
Websiteuchicago.edu/
Total Enrollment21,578
Undergrad Enrollment9,174
Female Students48.3%

Is University of Chicago a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 4.8%, University of Chicago is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your ProfileUniversity of Chicago Is...What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application Match Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths Reach Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA Hard Reach Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at University of Chicago

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences
36.0%
Mathematics/Statistics
9.7%
Biological Sciences
7.9%
Physical Sciences
7.0%
Computer Science
6.7%
Best Majors at University of Chicago →

Student Demographics

White
27.1%
Black/African American
6.0%
Hispanic/Latino
14.5%
Asian
16.9%
International
18.5%

How to Get Into University of Chicago

UChicago is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1540+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, UChicago wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1540
Target SAT Score
34
Target ACT Score
4.8%
Acceptance Rate
38,631
Total Applicants

What University of Chicago Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Very Important
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Important
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

University of Chicago Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Chicago EA/ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Early DecisionNov 1
Early Decision IIJan 4
Regular DecisionJan 4
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Feb 15
Early Decision: University of Chicago offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if University of Chicago is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Chicago

What is UChicago's acceptance rate?
UChicago has an acceptance rate of 4.8%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for UChicago?
The middle 50% SAT range at UChicago is 1510-1570. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 34-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at UChicago?
The most popular majors at UChicago by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (36.0%), Mathematics/Statistics (9.7%), Biological Sciences (7.9%), Physical Sciences (7.0%), Computer Science (6.7%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to UChicago?
UChicago accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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More About University of Chicago

University of Chicago Acceptance Rate University of Chicago Tuition & Cost Transfer to University of Chicago University of Chicago Salary & ROI University of Chicago AP Credit Best Majors at University of Chicago University of Chicago Housing International at University of Chicago

Other Colleges in IL

Northwestern University
7.1% accept · Evanston
University of Illinois
43.7% accept · Champaign
Loyola University Chicago
81.4% accept · Chicago

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Chicago is not affiliated with DeepColleges.