University of Chicago, a leading private research university located in Illinois, is known for its rigorous academic atmosphere and excellent quality of education. Since its founding in 1890, it has been a coveted university for students from all over the world. In recent years, however, University of Chicago acceptance rate has continued to decline, which not only reflects the school’s rising global appeal, but also reveals the fierce competition applicants face.
For applicants, this change means that they need to work harder to improve their overall qualities, including academic performance, extracurricular activities and so on. At the same time, for the university, the low acceptance rate also means that more sophisticated and efficient admissions strategies are needed to ensure that the best students are attracted and selected. This article will delve into the current acceptance rate University of Chicago, how to apply to University of Chicago and other information, so as to provide referenceS for future applicants.
UChicago acceptance rate - Class of 2028
As the world pays more and more attention to higher education and the recognition of many American colleges and universities becomes higher and higher, the number of applicants to University of Chicago has increased year by year, reaching more than 43,000 for the class of 2028. But UChicago acceptance rate is getting lower and lower, almost in line with Ivy League schools. Such fierce competition shows that University of Chicago has finally stood out from other American universities and become the new hot destination for students from all over the world.
University of Chicago acceptance rate has remained around 4-5% in recent years, which is an extremely low percentage. Despite this low acceptance rate, the number of people who choose to apply to University of Chicago continues to increase each year.
In fact, there are several clues to the popularity of University of Chicago.
- It is consistently one of the top universities in the USA, focusing on a wide range of fields of research, and is known for producing Nobel Prize winners. By 2024, University of Chicago has produced 101 Nobel laureates, making it the fifth largest university in the world to produce Nobel laureates.
- University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois, a hub in the Midwest of the United States. The Chicago metropolitan area, which consists of the city and its suburbs, is the third largest metropolitan area in the United States, just after New York and Los Angeles. Such a modern and developed area provides excellent internship and job opportunities for students studying here.
As a result, the acceptance rate of University of Chicago is getting lower and lower, but it can not stop students’ enthusiasm to choose this prestigious university.
Trends in acceptance rate at University of Chicago
University of Chicago has not released the official acceptance rate for the class of 2028 yet. However, according to the official statistics, including numbers of applications and accepted students, it is estimated that University of Chicago acceptance rate for class of 2028 is around 4%. To know more about trends in University of Chicago admissions, please look at the table below.
| Years | Overall Applications Accepted | Overall Applications Received | Overall Acceptance Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 1,955 | 43,612 | about 4% |
| Class of 2027 | 1,849 | 38,800 | 4.78% |
| Class of 2026 | 2,041 | 37,522 | 5.44% |
| Class of 2025 | 2,460 | 37,977 | 6.48% |
| Class of 2024 | 2,511 | 34,372 | 7.31% |
| Class of 2023 | 2,065 | 34,900 | 5.92% |
| Class of 2022 | 2,329 | 32,291 | 7.21% |
| Class of 2021 | 2,419 | 27,694 | 8.73% |
| Class of 2020 | 2,499 | 31,484 | 7.94% |
As can be seen from the above table, in general, UChicago admission rate is declining year by year, and the competition for students is becoming more and more fierce. However, the number of applicants to University of Chicago continues to increase, reaching more than 43,000 in 2024. This trend clearly reflects the increasing international recognition of the University of Chicago and the increasing emphasis of students on higher education.
University of Chicago early decision acceptance rate
University of Chicago has two rounds of early decisions. The due date of Early Decision I is November 1, and the due date of Early Decision II is January 6. Every year, many students make an early decision. Because by making an early decision, you can know whether you are admitted to the ideal university or not earlier, so that you can make better plans for the future in advance. Generally speaking, University of Chicago has a relatively higher early decision acceptance rate and relatively less competitive pressure. If your dream school is the University of Chicago, please take advantage of the early decision to get ready to apply to this top school. But if you still have second thoughts, be careful to apply. Because once you accept this offer, you must reject other offers.
University of Chicago transfer acceptance rate
University of Chicago also welcomes transfer students with diverse backgrounds to build a diverse, world-class university. UChicago offers two transfer programs for transfer students: transfer early decision and transfer rolling decision. Whichever you choose, your application will go through a rigorous review. Therefore, please prepare your transfer application for admission and supplement essays, high school and college transcripts, and two teachers in advance evaluations, etc. Transfer students must have attended the University of Chicago for at least two academic years (six quarters) and completed core curriculum, along with more than half of their major requirements bearing UChicago course numbers.
Test scores required for UChicago admissions
In recent years, U of Chicago acceptance rate has remained at 4-5%. This acceptance rate is as low as that of Ivy League universities, so it is very challenging to get into University of Chicago. Your various test scores are undoubtedly important factors for UChicago to consider when submitting an application. So what are the requirements for scores on various tests at the University of Chicago?
GPA requirements
Actually, University of Chicago has no GPA requirement. However, the University of Chicago is a famous university in the United States, and the applicants are very excellent, so the higher the GPA, the higher possibility of receiving an offer. Most students who apply to the University of Chicago have a 4.0 or higher GPA. According to statistics, among enrolled first-year students in 2023-2024, the average GPA was 4.32. 63% of enrolled students had a GPA of 4.0 or above, and 27% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Only about 10% of students had a GPA below 3.74.
SAT / ACT requirements
Although University of Chicago does not require SAT and ACT scores, we provide you with the latest data for your reference. According to the latest data available on the University of Chicago’s website, among the most recent class of 2028 students, their SAT scores range from 1220 to 1600, and ACT scores range from 23 to 36.
How to get into University of Chicago?
Founded in 1890, University of Chicago is one of the leading private research universities in the United States. In the US News 2025 Best National Universities, University of Chicago is ranked 11th. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is ranked 21st. Therefore, University of Chicago is an international top university, with high international recognition. Despite the University of Chicago’s low acceptance rate, many students still choose this school. So, how to apply to University of Chicago?
Application checklist
Required Materials:
- Application for Admission and Supplement Essays
- Application Fee or Automatic Fee Waiver
- Secondary School Report and Transcript
- Two Teacher Evaluations
- Midyear Report
- No Harm Testing Policy
Optional Materials:
- Financial Aid Application
- Recommended Video Profile
- Supplemental Materials: Optional Art, Creative, Research, or Other Supplements
2024-2025 Timelines
| Early Action | Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Due Date | November 1 | November 1 | January 6 | January 6 |
| Admission Decision Release Date | Mid-December | Mid-December | Mid-February | Late March |
| Student Reply Due Date | May 1 | Mid-January | Early March | May 1 |
2024-2025 Transfer Timelines
| Transfer Early Decision | Transfer Rolling Decision | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Due Date | March 3 | Priority Application Due Date | March 3 |
| Admission Decision Release Date | Late March | Admission Decision Release Date | Decisions released on a rolling basis starting in early May |
| Transfer Rolling Application Closes | May 30 | ||
| Reply Due Date | Late April | Reply Due Date | June 2 |
How does University of Chicago rate applicants?
With such a low acceptance rate, how does the University of Chicago stand out among so many applicants? University of Chicago is looking for students with research ability and academic passion. So how can you reflect your strengths in your application? Below is a list of points that University of Chicago will focus on when reviewing applications.
- Intelligence Level: As a top university, University of Chicago’s first consideration is, of course, your intelligence level. So, how do you reflect this factor in your application? You’d better submit an excellent high school transcript. The higher your GPA, the more your resume will stand out. Although it is not mandatory for you to take AP courses to apply to University of Chicago, if you can get excellent grades in these courses, it will make your application more outstanding. The solid knowledge base will make your future university study much easier.
- Research Ability: You should understand that university study requires not only a rigorous learning attitude, but also strong research ability. Even if you can pass all exams, you do not have the research ability, so it will not make you stand out among so many applications. Therefore, please include your high school research activities in your application. It is best to attach several authoritative letters of recommendation from teachers or researchers, and let them prove your research ability.
- Academic enthusiasm: How can I show my academic enthusiasm in my application? The most important thing is your paperwork. A well-structured, concise document is a good indication of your writing skills. In the essay, mention your passion for academic research and your curiosity about a particular field. This specific expression will show the faculty at the University of Chicago that you are sincere.
- Adaptive Ability: Moving from high school to college is a major life transition for most students. You may need to move to a new environment. Moreover, University of Chicago is an international school. Here, you are likely to meet students from all over the world with different backgrounds. Then, having a good ability to adapt becomes an important consideration for schools. You are more likely to be accepted to the University of Chicago if you can include a variety of activities you participated in during high school. These activities can demonstrate your excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Final thoughts on University of Chicago admissions
With an in-depth analysis of University of Chicago acceptance rate, we can see that the competition for admission to this top university is becoming more and more fierce. With a UChicago acceptance rate of around 4%, University of Chicago has become one of the most challenging universities in the world to get accepted. This trend means that future applicants need to focus more on improving their academic performance and soft abilities to meet the University of Chicago’s rigorous selection criteria. We have enough reason to believe that University of Chicago will continue to attract excellent students worldwide with its outstanding academic strength and educational quality. However, how to balance the rigor of selection and the universality of education will be a problem that University of Chicago needs to continue to explore and solve.
FAQ
In recent years, University of Chicago acceptance rate has remained around 4-5%. This admission rate is very low, so that it is really tough to be accepted by this prestigious university. However, University of Chicago early decision acceptance rate is relatively higher. Thus, you can consider applying to UChicago through early decision.
If your high school transcripts are excellent and you have a rich social and academic experience, your chances of being accepted by University of Chicago will go up. In addition, please plan ahead. Write good essays, and take the University of Chicago’s highly valued exams. You’d better contact the teacher in advance to write a valuable recommendation for you.
If you want to get into University of Chicago, you’ll need to plan in advance, including what classes you’ll take in high school. Many top colleges have requirements or preferences for what courses applicants should take in high school. University of Chicago expects students to take many challenging courses. These courses may include:
- 4 years of English
- 3–4 years of math
- 3–4 years of laboratory sciences
- 3 or more years of social sciences
- Foreign language study (2-3 years recommended)
Of course you can. There is no GPA requirement for the University of Chicago.
However, judging from the GPA of the accepted students in the past, most of the students have a GPA above 4.0, and only about 10% of the received students have a GPA below 3.74. Therefore, it is recommended that you work hard to improve your GPA and increase the likelihood of being admitted.
No.
But in recnet year, University of Chicago has ranked higher than some Ivy League schools. In the US News 2025 Best National Universities, University of Chicago is ranked 11th. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is ranked 21st.
University of Chicago is located in Chicago, where the cost of living is relatively high. So, how much does it cost to study at the University of Chicago? The table below lists the cost of attendance for 2024-2025.
| On-Campus | Commuter | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $67,446 | $67,446 | $67,446 |
| Student Services Fee | $1,560 | $1,560 | $1,560 |
| UPASS Fee | $318 | $318 | $318 |
| Food & Housing (or Maintenance Allowance) | $20,109 | $7,980 (maintenance allowance) | $17,502 |
| Books & Course Materials | $1,800 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Travel Allowance | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| TOTAL | $93,633 | $81,504 | $91,026 |
