Mansi parihar Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert
The University of Chicago, situated in Hyde Park, Illinois, is a prestigious private research university with approximately 18,000 students. It is highly competitive in admissions, with an acceptance rate of approximately 5–6%. The most sought-after majors are Economics, Political Science, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Public Policy. The graduation rate is approximately 95%, and the median earnings of alumni are approximately INR 1.1–1.3 crore annually (?$135,000–150,000 after ten years after graduation).
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a flagship public research university with more than 34,000 students. It has an acceptance rate of about 75–78%, which means it is fairly selective. The most popular majors are Nursing, Business, Engineering, Psychology, and Biological Sciences. The graduation rate is roughly 63–65%, and graduates have average salaries of INR 50–55 lakhs annually (?$60,000–67,000).
| University of Chicago | University of Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 8.4 Out of 10 | 5.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 13 QS World University 2026 # 15 Times Higher Education 2026 # 10 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 334 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 132 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 28 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 34 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 119 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 169 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -36 PG Programs -31 Doctorate Programs -9 | UG Programs -89 PG Programs -57 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 0.0 % | 78.5 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-570 IELTS-7 SAT-1080 TOEFL-80 | GMAT-600 GRE-299 IELTS-6.5 PTE-54 SAT-1080 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 56034 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 72000 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29000 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 44758 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24738 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29000 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | University of Chicago is one of the top private universities in Chicago, United States. It is ranked #10 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Top recruiters include McKinsey & Company Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Google LLC, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Accenture, Deloitte Consulting LLP etc
| Graduate Employability: 161-170 (2020). |
| application requirements | Transcripts, English proficiency scores, Supplemental essays, teacher evaluation, GMAT/ GRE scores, Supplemental material (art work, research papers, etc.) | Applicants must have scores requirements: 66-91 (based on program). You are also required to fulfill country-specific requirements. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | University of Chicago Booth School of Business | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.6/10 Read 5 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 8 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 9 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 17 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 135/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 104/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -127803 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 16, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Dec 4, 2025 (Round 1 Decision Date For 2026 Intake) Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 26, 2026 (Round 2 Decision Date For 2026 Intake) Apr 2, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Apr 2, 2026 (Round 3 Decision Date For 2026 Intake) | Mar 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Chicago | University of Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1890 | 1867 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 5.9:1 | 11:1 |
| Male:Female | 53% Male, 0% Female | 49% Male, 50% Female |
| Location Facts | A 217 acres campus located in Chicago's Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhood eight miles of downtown Chicago. | Located among culturally rich neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Southloop, Little Italy, West loop, Greektown, is a 15-minute walk from downtown Chicago. It is highly accessible through public transport stops. |
| Library | UChicago Library System is the 10th largest academic library in North America comprising 6 libraries. Contains a total of 11.9 million volumes, 65,330 ft. of archives and manuscripts and 245 TB of digital archives. | Total ebooks: 504,341. Databases: 634. Journals:60,000 are all housed together in 5 university libraries. The library also has a special and university archives collectiom. |
| Campus Life | Famous campus attractions include UChicago's Metallurgical Laboratory, University of Chicago Press (largest university press in USA), Cobb Lecture Hall, Rockefeller Chapel, Gerald Ratner Athletics Center. UChicago also has over 400 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). | Chicago’s only public university offers a pop-up pantry, wellness center, a gallery, theatre, student-run radio show, NCAA competing sports teams to indulge in. IT hosts free back to school concert, free comedy show during spring, The university has over 300 student organizations offering a number of opportunities to chose from. |
| Hostel | #Housing and Food(4 Quarters) - $29000 | #Housing and Food Expenses - $14400 #Housing and Food Expenses - $14600 |
| Famous Alumni | University boasts of about 182,000 alumni. 100 Nobel laureates, 4 Turning Award winners, 54 Rhodes Scholars, 26 Marshall Scholars, 9 Field Medalists, 52 MacArthur Fellows, 25 Pulitzer Prize winners, 20 National Humanities Medalists, 16 Billionaire graduates. Edwin Hubble (American astronomer), Bernie Sanders (US Senator), Milton Friedman (American economist), Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), Larry Ellison (Founder of Oracle Corporation) | Carol Moseley Braun (Former US Senator), Bernard Shaw (American Journalist), Bobby Rush (US representative), Justin Hartley (actor), Joanne McCarthy (baseball player), Adrian Smith (architect), Azhar Usman (Comedian), James Thompson (former governor Illinois). |
| Weather |
University of Chicago vs University of Illinois- Chicago
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Chicago consistently ranks within the Top 10 world universities in QS and THE, with specific global leadership in Economics, Political Science, Law, and Social Sciences. UIC, while not ranked as highly worldwide, is known in the Top 200–300 group, specifically for Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy, and Engineering, with a research strength in urban and health sciences.
General Information
The University of Chicago provides a classic private Ivy-like education with emphasis on intellectual intensity, theoretical basis, and cross-disciplinary research. UIC, being a public city-based university, offers low-cost, accessible higher education with close ties to Chicago businesses, hospitals, and civic groups.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UChicago is one of the most difficult universities in the world to enter (?5%), attracting the best global talent. UIC is more open (?70%), being Illinois' largest public university and a flagship institution for first-generation students.
Research Impact & Facilities
UChicago boasts 100+ Nobel laureates, top research centers such as the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, and innovative advancements in medicine, physics, and public policy. UIC is a Carnegie R1 institution with applied research strengths in healthcare, engineering innovation, and serving an important role in Chicago's workforce and healthcare system.
Cost & Financial Aid
UChicago is expensive (~$65,000 annually for undergraduates), although need-based financial aid and scholarships cut costs substantially for qualifying students. UIC is less expensive (~$15,000–20,000 in-state; ~$30,000 for foreign students), providing a cost-effective option.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UChicago graduates consist of world leaders, economists, CEOs, and scholars, boasting one of the highest average graduate salaries worldwide. UIC graduates perform outstandingly regionally and nationally, particularly in healthcare, public service, engineering, and urban planning, with notable local employability within Chicago's labor market.
