The University of Chicago: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

The University of Chicago is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 6.2%. Located in Hyde Park seven miles from downtown Chicago, UChicago is one of the top-ranking and most selective universities in the U.S. The university has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of the Association of American Universities. First-year students at The University of Chicago reside in one of 38 "houses" which serve as the center of student life. Academics are backed up by an impressive 5-to-1 student/faculty ratio. On the athletic front, The University of Chicago Maroons compete in the NCAA Division III, within the University Athletic Association (UAA). Popular sports include football, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field.

To apply, students can use the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. UChicago has two Early Decision plans and one Early Action plan that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school. Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the UChicago admissions statistics you should know.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, The University of Chicago had an acceptance rate of 6.2%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 6 students were admitted, making UChicago's admissions process highly competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to The University of Chicago. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of Chicago has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, UChicago is also test-optional and the university has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. Strong application essays and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside UChicago's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. As you can see, students who are admitted to UChicago tend to have an A- or higher GPA, SAT scores of 1250 or higher (ERW+M), and an ACT composite score of 25 or higher. Note that UChicago is test-optional, so grades and other elements of the application are more important than test scores in the admissions process.