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Universities in Chicago: Know About Top 10 Universities & Colleges in Chicago For International Students

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Fiona
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Chicago, one of the most commercial cities in the US, is known as the "The Windy City of the world". Across the city, you will be surrounded by many libraries equipped with innovative technologies, beautifully designed for their students to learn. Being a city of arts and culture, you will find art galleries and popular museums like Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium etc. Along with these, many students also preferred universities in Chicago for their higher learning.

These universities provide an exceptional style of education and rigorous pursuit of knowledge, establishing one of the world's most influential institutions of upper-level studies. Colleges in Chicago are well-developed along with their educational opportunities are a great concern for the residents. Besides this, if you are interested in finance and economics-related opportunities, Chicago is a great place. 

So, if you are interested in studying in Chicago city but are looking for the best university. This blog will guide you with the best universities in Chicago, along with the benefits of studying in Chicago for their education.

Table of Contents

What are the Benefits of Studying at Universities in Chicago?

Chicago is the third largest city in the US with its fast-paced metropolitan lifestyle, business hub and thriving arts and culture community. The city has a multicultural environment that attracts a number of international students every year. It will be easy to get around with multiple transport options to travel across the city for free with a university e-pass. Some of the benefits of studying in universities in Chicago for international students are:

  • Top Universities: Chicago colleges and universities are recognised for their amazing academic faculties, top-notch quality education, dedicated teaching professors, exceptional research methodologies, and opportunities. Also, some of its universities are ranked by different ranking surveys for their infrastructure and educational facilities. According to QS World University Rankings, four universities are located in Chicago.
  • Low Cost of Living: Along with the list of universities in Chicago, the city is also well known for its affordability and low cost of living. Based on Number cost of living, Chicago scored 77.80, ranking at 95 out of 567 cities worldwide. The average cost of a single individual living in Chicago is around 1,037 USD per month. These costs may go higher with extra expenses.
  • Academics and Infrastructure: The faculty and scholars of the best colleges in Chicago teach students of all backgrounds and intellectual interests. Historic academic curriculum and the rigorous majors, minors and specialisations with the best infrastructure help students a lot in learning in practical and theoretical ways. 

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Now that you know what are the benefits of studying in Chicago. Let's look at the best universities and the top colleges in Chicago for international students:

List of Top 10 Universities in Chicago For International Students

There are many top universities in Chicago for international students that are committed to relentless learning through their determined questioning, challenges and quality education. Its academic standards provide all students with an academic foundation that helps them think and approach problems from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Although the list of colleges in Chicago is vast, here we have curated a list of top 10 universities in Chicago for international students:

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • DePaul University
  • North Park University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Roosevelt University
  • Xavier University
  • Columbia College Chicago

Let's discuss each universities in Chicago in detail:

1. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a leading research university that has led to new schools of thought and transformative education for students. It has laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across a number of disciplines, such as sciences, medicines, economics, law, business, culture, and humanistic inquiry. The university provides a distinctive core curriculum through sequences in the humanities, social and biological sciences that engage students with the language, questions and methods in a broad field.

University of Chicago World Ranking 2024

11

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.5
  • SAT: 1150
  • ACT: 25
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 53

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 60,963 USD 
  • Master's: 63,963 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Biological Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Physical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Data Science
  • Engineering
  • Environmental & Urban Studies
  • Neuroscience

2. University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois is the largest research institution in Chicago with 16 different colleges dedicated towards the discovery and distribution of knowledge. It is recognised as the best public universities with ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses serving close to 34,000 undergraduate, graduate students. The university features over 16 bachelor's, 100 master's and 63 doctoral degree programs with plenty of career opportunities to explore your interests in a variety of disciplines.

University of Illinois at Chicago World Ranking 2024

323

University Type 

Public 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 53

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 30,370 USD 
  • Master's: 28,468 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Health Sciences
  • Architecture, Design, and the Arts
  • Business Administration
  • Dentistry
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Law
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy

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3. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Technology is committed to providing a distinctive and relevant education in the field of scientific, technological and professional knowledge creation and innovation. It offers over 40 undergraduate degrees including some pre-health programs and 60 graduate degrees which are distinctive by design, with innovation, technology and interdisciplinary learnings woven throughout the programs. This institute also offers some summer courses allowing the students to move forward and gain valuable research experiences. 

Illinois Institute of Technology World Ranking 2024

469

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 53

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 48,670 USD 
  • Master's: 29,628 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Computer science
  • Business Administration
  • Science and Letters
  • Law
  • Design

4. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago is an independent urban university that emphasises the development of the intellectual, social and moral values and character of its students. The university is dedicated towards higher education and health care, and has national, regional and international influence. It offers admissions to over 160 undergraduate majors and minors, 140 graduate, professional and graduate certificate level programs to study. Its core curriculum provides a well rounded education to think and express it critically.

Loyola University Chicago World Ranking 2024

901-950

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 53

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 47,808 USD 
  • Master's: 20,663 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Arts and Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Communication
  • Continuing and Professional Studies
  • Engineering
  • Health Sciences and Public Health
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Nursing
  • Environmental Sustainability

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5. DePaul University

DePaul University is among the recognised private universities in Chicago for international students committed to an education experience weaving together mind, place, people and heart. The university offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs taught by nationalised professors that incorporate their experiences in the classroom. More than 90 per cent of the graduates of DePaul are employed and continuing their education within six months of completing their studies.

DePaul University World Ranking 2024

801-1000

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Winter 
  • Rolling 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • TOEFL: 80
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 55

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 43,239 USD 
  • Master's: 36,534 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Business Administration
  • Communication
  • Computing and Digital Media
  • Education
  • Law
  • Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Science and Health
  • Music
  • Continuing and Professional Studies

6. North Park University

North Park University provides a rigorous and interdisciplinary liberal arts and sciences education in a world-class city. It offers over 40 majors and programs including some pre-professional options in fields such as law, medicine and art therapy. The university also advances your career through its flexible and affordable graduate degree programs in a variety of business and non-profit management, music mental health counselling, and nursing courses.

QS World University Rankings 2024

NA

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • SAT: 1100
  • ACT: 23
  • TOEFL: 80
  • IELTS: 6.5

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 33,350 USD 
  • Master's: 14,293 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Arts and Sciences
  • Business and Management
  • Education
  • Nursing and Health Sciences
  • Music and Theatre
  • Professional Studies

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7. Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University provides a rich tradition of educational innovation and prides itself on preparing to make a difference in the world. With a student population of over 7,000, it offers more than 40 undergraduate and certificate programs and around 50 graduate degrees, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The educational experience at Northeastern University involves hands-on learning experience, field research and community engagement.

QS World University Rankings 2024

NA

University Type 

Public 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • SAT: 1050
  • ACT: 25
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 22,155 USD 
  • Master's: 17,725 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Arts & Sciences
  • Business & Technology
  • Education
  • Accounting, Business Law and Finance
  • Computer Science
  • Management and Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Political Science

8. Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University is a private non sectarian community of educators, scholars and learners committed towards academic, creative and service excellence. It is an active partner in the social, economic and cultural development of the communities. The univy offers a broad array of academic programs, from the baccalaureate through doctoral levels, in an interactive environment providing their students a stage to explore, discover, and develop their unique abilities and interests.

QS World University Rankings 2024

NA

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.0
  • SAT: 1150
  • ACT: 25
  • TOEFL: 80
  • IELTS: 6.5

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 33,068 USD 
  • Master's: 24,523 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Arts Sciences
  • Education
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Performing Arts
  • Science, Health and Pharmacy
  • Business Administration

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9. Xavier University

Xavier University is an affordable university in Chicago for international students annually ranked among the nation's best universities. Established in 1831, it offers over 90 undergraduate majors, 60 minors and more than 40 graduate programs to around 7,000 students in its four colleges. With 160 students clubs and organisations, the university has a supportive campus community and a city full of opportunity from all over the globe and nation on campus and beyond.

QS World University Rankings 2024

NA

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer 
  • Rolling 

Admission Scores 

  • GPA: 3.45
  • SAT: 1150
  • ACT: 25
  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 55

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 45,500 USD 
  • Master's: 12,076 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Arts and Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Business Administration
  • Professional Sciences
  • Communication
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics

10. Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago is one of the colleges in Chicago for international students offering a distinctive blend of the curriculum. More than 60 undergraduate and graduate courses in arts, media, business, etc. It provides an advanced study in small, selective programs shaped by the trends of contemporary practice. The university offers its programs through award-winning faculties, prepares you to advance your career, shape the future of disciplines, and bring about constructive changes in communities.

QS World University Rankings 2024

NA

University Type 

Private 

Intakes 

  • Fall
  • Spring 

Admission Scores 

Average Annual Fees 

  • Bachelor's: 31,026 USD 
  • Master's: 30,192 USD 

Courses Offered 

  • Business and Management
  • Communication and Writing
  • Media and Digital Arts
  • Music and Sound
  • Performing Arts
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Science and Mathematics

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The list of universities in Chicago above are pretty good in terms of its learning and offers a range of academic programs in a variety of disciplines to study. With ranking universities and national faculties, Chicago is a popular study destination which will help you to a bright future ahead. However, if you have difficulty deciding on universities in Chicago for international students and want assistance in the application process, connect with our Yocket Counsellors now.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Universities in Chicago 

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