University

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

The University of Chicago is a private research university in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The university was incorporated in 1890, founded by John D. Rockefeller and the American Baptist Education Society, and held its first classes in 1892 under its first president, William Rainey Harper. It comprises the undergraduate College together with graduate divisions and professional schools.

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Common App, Coalition App
Testing policy: Test optional (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $70,662
Out-of-state tuition: $70,662
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,569

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2024–2025 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

4.5%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,519 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,513 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 6 students

First-year admission

Majors

Anthropology
Social Sciences
Area Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Physical Sciences
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Chemical Engineering
Engineering
Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Psychology
Cognitive Science
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Deadlines

Early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-02 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Early decision · 2026–2027
2026-11-02 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Early decision II · 2026–2027
2027-01-04 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-04 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

2 supplemental essays

UChicago requires one short essay explaining interest in the university and one extended essay selected from its current prompt list.

2026–2027

Required · All first-year applicants
How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.
No length limit reported
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essay/
Required
Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one) Food for thought: How do thoughts eat? Inspired by Ernest Leong, Class of 2026 The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, utilized origami-inspired techniques to compactly store and deploy its sunshield in space. Choose an artistic practice and use its principles to propose an elegant solution to a problem. Inspired by Akhil Korra, Class of 2028 Sometimes metaphors get mixed up. For one reason or another, one could say, “we'll burn that bridge when we get there” or “the world is your china shop”. Make up your own mixed metaphor. Explain how it could make sense, be understood, or even applied. Inspired by Julia Nieberg, Class of 2029 The Olympics have long celebrated the pinnacle of human athletic achievement. But what if they expanded to honor the mundane? Imagine a new Olympic event built around an everyday activity like speed dishwashing or competitive grocery bagging. How is it scored, officiated, and judged? Why is it a worthy addition? Inspired by Ewan Smith, Class of 2028 AI: Allen Iverson. NASA, or the North American Saxophone Alliance. Share a potentially confounding, comedic, or captivating example of MIA (Mistaken Identity of Acronym) and tell us its backstory. Inspired by Jeeho Byun, Class of 2030 And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $90
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Required

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official UChicago first-year supplemental-essay requirement.
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

1,955 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

1,726 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

58.46%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

30.07%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

6.85%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

1.76%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

2.78%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

0.09%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Average high-school GPA (C12)

4.97 GPA

The CDS reports an average and GPA distribution, not GPA percentiles.

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 49%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 27%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 740 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 780 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 800 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 34 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 35 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 5:1; The CDS labels this as a Fall 2024 ratio.

Source: University of Chicago Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Retrieved 2026-09-01

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:09633eb05e2cd1c2dfd605746a8eba013cdacba732244ac56494a95fd9978b57 · Import: cds-2026-09-v18

Computer Programming

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Economics

Social Sciences

Engineering Science

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Geography and Cartography

Social Sciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Health/Medical Preparatory Programs

Health Professions and Related Programs

International Relations and National Security Studies

Social Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Policy Analysis

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

English Language and Literature/Letters

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social Sciences, Other

Social Sciences

Social Work

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Sociology

Social Sciences

South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Systems Science and Theory

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Theological and Ministerial Studies

Theology and Religious Vocations

Visual and Performing Arts, Other

Visual and Performing Arts

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-03 — Early Action (non-binding) deadline, shared with Early Decision I. Due 11:59 p.m. applicant's local time.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Early decision · 2025–2026
2025-11-03 — Early Decision I (binding) deadline, shared with Early Action. Due 11:59 p.m. applicant's local time.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Financial aid · 2025–2026
2025-11-15 — Institutional financial aid application deadline for Early Action & Early Decision I applicants. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-01-15 (Institutional financial aid application deadline for Early Decision II applicants. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.); 2026-02-15 (Institutional financial aid application deadline for Regular Decision applicants. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.).
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-for-aid/
Regular decision · 2025–2026
2026-01-05 — Regular Decision deadline, shared with Early Decision II. Due 11:59 p.m. applicant's local time.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Early decision II · 2025–2026
2026-01-05 — Early Decision II (binding) deadline, shared with Regular Decision. Due 11:59 p.m. applicant's local time.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/

No length limit reported

Value: 2 supplemental essays

UChicago requires one short essay explaining interest in the university and one extended essay selected from its current prompt list.

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 90
$90 application fee for students not applying for need-based financial aid. Submitted through Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir or the Common Application.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/
Fee waiver · Optional
Automatic fee waiver: the University of Chicago does not charge an application fee for students applying for need-based financial aid.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
Two teacher recommendations.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Personal essay · Required
Personal statement submitted through the Common Application or Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/
Supplemental essays · Required
UChicago Supplement: one required 'Why UChicago' essay (Question 1) and one extended essay chosen from several prompts (Question 2).
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essay/
Interview · Not offered
The traditional college interview is not part of the application process. Applicants may optionally submit a two-minute video introduction in lieu of an interview via their UChicago Account.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/optional-materials/
Secondary school report · Required
High school transcript and School Report submitted by the applicant's school counselor.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Midyear report · Required
Midyear report with first-semester or first-trimester grades or transcript, requested by around February 1; students are not penalized for schools that issue midyear grades later.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/
English proficiency · Optional
Students are invited but not required to submit English proficiency exam scores; those who feel their command of English is already evident in the application need not submit formal scores. Self-reported or official scores accepted.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/optional-materials/
CSS Profile · Not required
UChicago does not use the CSS Profile or the College Board IDOC system. Aid applicants complete the UChicago-specific Financial Aid Worksheet through their UChicago Account.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-for-aid/
FAFSA · Required
Required for financial aid applicants (2026-2027 FAFSA); UChicago federal school code is 001774. Not required for admission if not applying for aid.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-for-aid/
Other · Optional
Optional Art, Creative, Research, or Other Supplements (e.g., creative writing, music/dance/visual art/theater, capstone or research projects, business plans) may be self-uploaded through the UChicago Account.
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/optional-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-for-aid/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essay/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/optional-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-for-aid/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essay/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://humanities.uchicago.edu/about/history

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?144050

Retrieved 2026-06-10