University of Illinois Chicago: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Chicago, Illinois · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Action
- 29,929
- Applicants
- 22,674
- Admitted76%
- 5,405
- Enrolled
- 24%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access76% admittedRanked #95 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #72 (tie), Business Programs #101 (tie), Computer Science #75 (tie), Nursing #9 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Illinois Chicago (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Illinois Chicago a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Illinois Chicago against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Illinois Chicago is a public university in Chicago, Illinois that admits about 76% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $10,974 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Psychology, General and Computer Science, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 61% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 10.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Illinois Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Illinois Chicago admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 76%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1170 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $10,974 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Illinois Chicago?
71% of enrolled students at University of Illinois Chicago had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.45, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare University of Illinois Chicago with the other schools on your list
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What does University of Illinois Chicago weight in admissions?
University of Illinois Chicago reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
3- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
Important
1- Application essay
Considered
4- Standardized test scores
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
Not Considered
10- Interview
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores University of Illinois Chicago typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1030 |
| 50th percentile | 1170 |
| 75th percentile | 1300 |
| % submitting SAT | 47% |
| 25th percentile | 24 |
| 50th percentile | 27 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 4% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional; about two-thirds apply without scores. If submitting, a score report is needed (no self-reported scores or superscores).
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Illinois Chicago's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 23% |
| Top 25% of class | 52% |
| Top 50% of class | 88% |
| % submitting class rank | 36% |
How much does University of Illinois Chicago actually cost?
Published tuition is $14,338 for in-state students and $29,884 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,500 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $10,974 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 49% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $11,652 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,352 |
| Room and board | $17,100 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $10,974 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 53% |
| Average need-based grant | $18,699 |
| Average merit award, no financial need179 first-year students received one | $6,007 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 37% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $21,696 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Illinois Chicago
| Regular deadline | 2/15 |
| Notification date | 12/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Illinois Chicago?
These predict outcomes at University of Illinois Chicago better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Illinois Chicago
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Illinois Chicago, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Psychology, General and Computer Science. Across all programs, University of Illinois Chicago confers roughly 2,278 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $66,924 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 426 | $66,924 |
| Psychology, General | 399 | $54,233 |
| Computer Science | 328 | $116,325 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 296 | $85,957 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 274 | $77,460 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 223 | $58,587 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 168 | $88,275 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 164 | n/a |
Is University of Illinois Chicago safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Illinois Chicago disclosed 231 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 10.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 78 violent offenses and 20 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Illinois Chicago?
About 14% of undergraduates at University of Illinois Chicago live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 4% of men join a fraternity and 4% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
- DePaul University76% acceptance
- Loyola University Chicago82% acceptance
- Illinois State University88% acceptance
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale87% acceptance
- Lake Forest College57% acceptance
- Knox College71% acceptance
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago77% acceptance
- Bradley University77% acceptance
Next steps for University of Illinois Chicago
Common questions parents ask about University of Illinois Chicago
What GPA do I need for University of Illinois Chicago?
71% of enrolled students at University of Illinois Chicago had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.45, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Illinois Chicago typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31.
How much does University of Illinois Chicago actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Illinois Chicago after grants and scholarships is $10,974 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $14,338 and $29,884 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Illinois Chicago realistic for my child?
University of Illinois Chicago admits 76% of applicants, so 560–680 SAT Math is target range and below 560 is a reach. Then check the $10,974 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Illinois Chicago?
University of Illinois Chicago accepts about 76% of applicants out of roughly 29,929 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Illinois Chicago test-optional?
Yes. University of Illinois Chicago is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Illinois Chicago?
About 61% of students at University of Illinois Chicago graduate within six years, and 43% finish in four years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Illinois Chicago look for in applicants?
University of Illinois Chicago rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Illinois Chicago a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Illinois Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at University of Illinois Chicago?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Illinois Chicago by annual graduates are Biology, General, Psychology, General and Computer Science. The school awards about 2,278 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Illinois Chicago safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Illinois Chicago reported 231 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 10.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Illinois Chicago?
At University of Illinois Chicago, 14% of undergraduates live on campus, 4% of men are in fraternities, 4% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Illinois Chicago, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers