Founded in 1965, University of Illinois at Chicago. is a Public college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 17,959 full time undergraduate students, and 11,161 full time graduate students.
The University of Illinois at Chicago Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 18:1. There are 1491 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Illinois at Chicago include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
73%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
60
SAT Range
990-1235
ACT Range
21-27
Admissions at UIC are considered Selective, with ,84% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 18 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
93% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 59% were in the top quarter, and 25% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Illinois at Chicago.
1%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
21%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
24%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
56%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
12%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
53%
“We bought the gear”
36%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
52%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
19%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
28%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
42%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
55%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
1%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
260 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
220 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
302 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
319 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
317 Students rated class size 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
317 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
317 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
318 Students rated academics 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
University of Illinois at Chicago REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of University of Illinois at Chicago?
148 Students rated University of Illinois at Chicago
Malena
College04/22/2025
I am a freshman at University of Illinois Chicago and so far I love it here! Their culture is nothing I've ever seen before, they have events/parties/clubs for every possible group of people I could think of. The academic life is terrific, there are plenty of study spots around campus and plenty of places I can meet with advisors/professors for help! The job market on campus is also very prominent, they constantly send out emails for any open positions, they also have clubs that can open doors to job opportunities, as well as intern fairs! Overall, the people here are wonderful, there is a very diverse campus and I have noticed that nobody is afraid to be intune with their own personal styles or goals.
Sundes
Prospective04/20/2025
As an Arab Muslim in Chicago I noticed UIC's Arab and Muslim community is very large, this makes me want to be apart of this community. UIC is also a great school academic wise, being able to learn here would be amazing to me since both my older siblings were able to graduate from here.
Amira
Prospective04/16/2025
What attracts me to University of Illinois Chicago is the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA). As someone who is interested in a field in healthcare, the fact that UIC offers this program is life changing. The small class sizes at UIC offer an opportunity for in-depth learning and personal connections. With classes composed of fewer than 10% of applicants, I would have the chance to build meaningful relationships with both instructors and peers, cultivating strong connections through a transformative experience. Furthermore, guaranteed admission to UIC’s dental school would alleviate the additional stress of applying to multiple dental schools while preparing for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), allowing me to focus entirely on excelling academically during my undergraduate years. This focus would not only support my academic achievements but also allow me to engage in research opportunities, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular activities that will shape me into a well-rounded candidate for the dental profession. In addition, the Honors College at UIC stands out as a meaningful opportunity for myself and many others interested in a field of healthcare. The program’s small class sizes will offer meaningful mentorship connections with both professors and peers, fostering strong relationships, important for a learning environment. Research opportunities will allow students to explore innovative dental practices, such as minimally invasive techniques, cosmetic dental procedures, and even root canals, preparing many with practical skills that align with the needs of diverse communities.
Francisco
Prospective04/15/2025
The reason why I want to go to the University of Illinois Chicago is because growing up I would always walk around the campus and ended fall in love with it . It also the school my sister goes to so if I ever need help in something I would have her support.
Abdulrahman
Prospective04/14/2025
It is an amazing school that I want to go to
Lina
Prospective04/14/2025
I visited this University for a school field trip last year. I got to tour the campus with a student who was attending the school. She gave me some great insight to the school and it got me intrigued. More specifically I got to see the honors part of UIC which I am interested in possibly attending.
Mateo
Prospective04/10/2025
Overall, you can't go wrong with UIC at all. It's in the heart of the United States' most popular city, Chicago, and its social scene is second to none. I might be biased, given I'm from Chicago, but UIC is cost-effective while offering a top-notch education. To me, it has everything it needs to be a world-class institution.
Drelin
Prospective04/10/2025
I’m drawn to UIC because of its outstanding medical programs and the countless opportunities it offers both academically and professionally. What really stands out to me, though, is the diversity—being part of a community with such rich cultural and ethnic backgrounds isn’t just inspiring, it’s essential for becoming the kind of healthcare provider I want to be. UIC reflects the world we live in, and I believe learning in that environment will challenge me, broaden my perspective, and better prepare me to serve a wide range of patients with empathy and understanding.
Sanaa
Prospective04/10/2025
A special reason I would love to attend University of Illinois Chicago--besides its great academics--is because of its unique location. As a fellow Chicagoan, I love the idea of spending a majority of my time in Downtown. When I went to explore the campus, all I saw was the food culture around there and the community of the student body hanging around. Many people seemed to get along well together and there are great studying options besides just the library. There are some quite places and some hidden spots around the campus that I know will give me a great time while I'm a student there. Overall, I know that the big campus in the middle of downtown is great for me.
Devin
Prospective04/02/2025
University of Illinois Chicago is a very nice campus. Out has plenty of nice clubs and communities. The academics are very efficient there and the professors are always on top of things. Its in a great area and lots of things to do.
Laniyah
Prospective04/01/2025
I like this college because it has many options for people to pick what major they want and give them the tools they need to succeed in it. Another reason it was appealing to me was that it is in the city. Chicago has many cultural, academic, and job opportunities for anyone to find what they want to do and be able to gain skills. The campus environment also looks very nice and has many buildings for different majors.
Emmanuel
03/07/2025
It is an enormous place, it is a rigorous place to study at, but it comes with a big reward. It is one of the top-rated schools in the country and it is an accessible school for those who work hard, are disciplined, and creative. It is not in the most safe area of Chicago and it most certainly is not cheap, but it is worth the money nd the time.
Leila
08/16/2024
UIC. My university. My new home... when finding colleges that could match my wants and needs, I remember running into this school and I instead fell in love. The athletic facilities and the classrooms are the most amazing and clean places to be. Most people may think twice about sending their kid here in the heart of Chicago but UIC prioritizes the safety of their students by having local police around and safely pole to alert the police. UIC is very welcoming to everyone and has a huge amount of diversity which allows me a person of color to feel very comfortable and welcome to this new environment. The location of UIC is also a big plus to the whole college experience. It is in the middle of the city allowing many food, party, and event attractions everywhere. At the end of the day, UIC is very serious about having a good head on your shoulders, not only academically smart but also being street smart to help you get through life.
Lance
11/12/2023
It has its issues like any other campus, but it still represents a great value for the education you get, and whether you're into sports, art, programming, engineering, or whatever, there always end up being some club or likely even degree devoted to it. It's a large, diverse campus, and it's pretty easy to have a valuable time if you're willing to put yourself out there a bit.
Crystal
09/12/2023
I personally have always wanted to come here since I was younger, and this is truly an amazing school. It's so diverse and no one will ever feel unwelcome. Since we are located in the city there is never any time for boredom. The class room sizes are all great, and your professors are always attentive to email or any questions you may have.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Illinois at Chicago is 73%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Above all else I would suggest that finding the right college is all about weighing any number of variables related to a school. In today's unique economic climate, one must be very honest when assessing whether or not the hefty pricetag on certain universities will actually pay off years down the road. Furthermore, a student looking at colleges and universities should be open to any number of schools that may not have originally been on their list. Often times, if a student asks around they'll find that schools they hadn't even considered have excellent programs in their desired field of study and may offer perks beyond those of the other universities. Beyond this, coming from a public, urban university I can speak to the importance of really being your own advocate when it comes to your education and overall experience. Although it ma be frustrating, often times it is necessary to ask the same question to several people in order to get the answer you need or to bog yourself down in bureaucracy if it means getting the most out of your time at the school. You have to work to make the most of your experience.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known about the special programs that they offered in my major field. I did not really know what kind of academic programs they offered to help me find an internship until I started attending the university. They have a career center where they help students find jobs but there is a long waiting list for it; I wished they had more career counselors. I also wished I knew how expensie their housing on-campus cost, along with their meal plan.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about my school is that some people working in the offices or who answer the phones can be incompetent and don't offer sufficient assistance.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A very lazy and all into him/her self is not a good fit for UIC. The reason I say this is because at UIC, everyone is friendly and people enjoy studying and learning. From personal experience, being lazy and or not being used to studying will cause that individual to be a hinderance on other people that they socialize with.
The University of Illinois at Chicago is truly one of the best universities anyone could attend. The diversity is amazing, and so are the opportunities. The best part of UIC is how the students fight for what they believe in, such as LGBT rights, and things of that nature. Additionally, I love how the university gives many opportunities for students to work on campus.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
I would say the fraternities and sororities are the more popular groups around here. These are the ones that people are most eager to be a part of. Nothing else caught my notice to a greater extent. There are other groups or clubs, but those could potentially be overlooked.
There are indeed some instructors who can be so very much dedicated to their students. I really enjoyed my organic chemistry professor. But that is one in many. The students in the other organic chem class didn't fair as well as we did academic wise. The odds of getting a good professor here aren't the best. It's tough trying to work on your own here. It will likely be a struggle to get through classes as an individual.
Being that this school is located near downtown Chicago, the Greek scene at UIC is not as prominent as it is at other schools. While UIC has many Greek organizations on campus, students are encouraged to utilize recreation spots and other locations around the city for social gatherings and events. UIC's location also means that the campus doesn't have a lot of Greek houses as well.
I decided to go to UIC because I enjoy the environment. It is located in downtown Chicago which allows me to live off campus but commute comfortably. Also because of the university's high standards of it's students. It has strict requirements which assures me that I am among serious college students.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
85% of students attending University of Illinois at Chicago receive some sort of financial aid.
58% were awarded federal grants.43%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.