About

About University of Illinois Chicago

health sciences focushigh acceptance ratelarge doctoral institution

University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university in Chicago, IL, known for its health sciences focus, high acceptance rate, and large doctoral institution. With an acceptance rate of 79%, UIC is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 4,244 students each year. UIC is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1110–1340, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. UIC offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $13,236 per year; the sticker price of $47,420 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

University of Illinois Chicago acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

79%
Overall Accept Rate
3.25
Typical Admitted GPA
1225
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1110 – 1340 (test optional)

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of Illinois Chicago

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
UIC values its identity as a public research university embedded in Chicago, so use your essays to show how the city itself connects to your academic or career goals, whether that means referencing specific neighborhoods, industries, or community issues you want to engage with.
Application Strategy
UIC has strong programs in health sciences, engineering, and urban planning that draw from Chicago's resources, so name the specific department or program you are applying to and explain why UIC's location and faculty research align with what you want to study.

Get a tailored strategy for University of Illinois Chicago. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

Build My Free List →

Financial Aid & Cost

What University of Illinois Chicago actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$47k/yr$7.5k
30k-48k~$47k/yr$8.1k
48k-75k~$47k/yr$10.9k
75k-110k~$47k/yr$16.2k
110k+~$47k/yr$25.0k

Not sure what University of Illinois Chicago would cost your family? Build your free SpearMatch list. We show estimated net cost for every college on your list based on your income bracket.

Unlock real pricing for University of Illinois Chicago and matching colleges →

Personalize this page

Compare your profile to University of Illinois Chicago's admitted class

SpearMatch builds a tiered college list from your actual grades, scores, and preferences — and shows where you stand at every college. Free, no account, 4 minutes.

Build My Free List →

✓ Free forever  ·  ✓ No account  ·  ✓ 1,300+ four-year US colleges

Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

60%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$53k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
20,859
Undergrad Enrollment
University of Illinois Chicago Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch