University of Chicago

University of Chicago is an elite research university in Chicago, Illionois. U Chicago brands itself as quirky, and is known for having numerous, unusual writing prompts in its application. Econometrics is the most popular major, by far. Note that U Chicago has more graduate students than undergraduates.

Affordability: U Chicago meets 100% of demonstrated need without student loans. Theoretically, U Chicago is affordable for any student admitted. They are among the few "no-loan" schools that offer merit aid. According to NCES data, most students do not take out loans (7% of freshman borrowed an average of $13,636 in 2020-21—a similar portion of students but higher loan amount than at comparable schools). 

Rankings: 

• #6 national research universities, U.S. News

• #6 colleges and universities, CollegeSimply

• #16 best colleges and universities, Niche

Popular Majors (NCES):

• Econometrics 

• Math 

• Biology 

• Computer Science 

• Public Policy Analysis 

• Political Science 

Students, Admissions, enrollment, graduation rates (NCES):

•  7,636 undergraduate students; 11,196 graduate students

• 6% acceptance rate

• 83% enrolled

• 96% graduation rate