Programs at the University of Chicago
The University of Chicago appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Chicago Area Colleges Ranked by Affordability.
Degrees at the University of Chicago are divided into the undergraduate college, four graduate divisions, and seven professional schools. Students may also enroll in programs from the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies. The student-to-faculty ratio at the university is a low 5:1, and almost 80 percent of its classes feature fewer than 20 students.
Some of the most popular degrees at the university include those in the social sciences, mathematics, and biology. Other popular areas of study include the physical sciences, public administration, and social service professions. An extraordinary 99 percent of first-year students decide to return to the University of Chicago for their second year of study.
A selection of undergraduate programs available includes business, architectural studies, economics, environmental & urban studies, computer science, Germanic studies, and law. Some degrees are available with several concentrations. For example, the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences allows students to specialize in areas like immunology, quantitative biology, endocrinology, and cancer biology.
Meanwhile, students who want to study at the graduate level will enroll in a program offered by one of twelve divisions and professional schools. The university has an extraordinary number of Ph.D. programs available. For instance, the Biological Sciences Division offers doctorates in human genetics, microbiology, evolutionary biology, biophysical sciences, and integrative biology, as well as several other areas.
Students who want to enroll in online classes will take them from the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies. Online classrooms are described as having the same level of academic rigor as those in traditional classrooms. Some of the areas of study available to students who enroll online include data analytics, digital marketing, clinical trials management, editing, financial management, and healthcare informatics.
Students who aren’t sure what they want to study or who are interested in other programs may enroll in the Basic Program of Liberal Education or the Open Program in the Liberal Arts. These options allow students to cultivate critical thinking skills and participate in a rigorous, liberal arts curriculum. Programs offered online generally award certificates, but there are also non-credit options and classes available.
About the University of Chicago
Established in 1890, the University of Chicago is a private university in the Hyde Park neighborhood of the city. The campus covers 217 acres and is situated close to Lake Michigan. The school’s motto is, “Let knowledge grow from more to more, and so be human life enriched.” Around 16,400 students attend the university, with more than 10,000 of those students enrolled at the graduate level of study.
The university is well-known for its professional schools of law, business, and medicine. The university’s official colors are white and maroon, and the school’s students play in NCAA Division III games with Phil the Phoenix as their mascot. The university has been affiliated with more than 100 Nobel laureates, and the university has also produced several Fields Medalists, Turing Award Winners, and Pulitzer Prize winners.
The University of Chicago Accreditation Details
The University of Chicago was first accredited in 1913 by a regional accreditation agency and has maintained this accreditation to the present day. Regional accreditation is currently granted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, which accredits schools in Illinois and neighboring states. The university’s degrees and programs are also accredited by individual agencies.
Accreditation for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business is granted by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The University of Chicago Divinity School is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
The University of Chicago Application Requirements
Admission to the University of Chicago begins with the official application for admission and a supplemental essay. Prospective students will also pay an application fee or may apply for a fee waiver. Secondary school reports, transcripts, and two teacher evaluations are also required. Standardized tests are optional. Students who have already attended some college should send college transcripts, too.
To complete their application, students should also fill out a financial aid application, create an optional video profile, and send additional supplemental materials required by the student’s chosen program. Supplemental items may include art, the results of research, or creative projects and portfolios. The Office of College Admissions at the university prefers that students submit their applications electronically.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The University of Chicago is a private institution, and all students pay the same rate for their respective programs, whether they’re residents of Illinois or another state. Tuition for undergraduate students is $57,642, and students may also pay other fees and costs associated with living at the university. Other costs include an estimated $1,800 for books, $17,004 for room and meals, and a $1,656 student life fee. The total estimated cost per year is $80,277.
Tuition and fees for graduate students vary somewhat and are based on the student’s enrollment status and standing at the university. Tuition for the year for full-time graduate programs is $49,734, and students in the advanced standing program pay $66,312 per year. Part-time day programs are $35,553, and the morning program is $20,595. Ph.D. students in scholastic residence pay $49,734, and Ph.D. students in advanced residence pay $19,665.
More than 95 percent of students who enroll in graduate programs at the University of Chicago receive merit-based and need-based scholarships and gift aid. There are full and partial tuition scholarships available for students. The vast majority of scholarships and gift aid are renewed for second-year students, and there are more than $1 million in funds available from private donors. All students must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid by December 15 to qualify for need-based scholarship aid.
Prospective students may want to look into the No Barriers policy, which is designed to help students graduate without debt from the university. The university also encourages students to apply for outside scholarships, but students are automatically considered for institutional scholarships when they apply. Students with questions about receiving merit scholarships from the University of Chicago are invited to call their Regional Admissions Officer.