More selective than 100% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
46% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 30% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Chicago over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What University of Chicago weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as University of Chicago reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Interview
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of University of Chicago first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 4.54. An average above 4.0 means University of Chicago reports weighted GPAs (extra points for AP, IB, dual enrollment and honors).
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
University of Chicago SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Chicago is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1580 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Chicago admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 4% | 740–780 | 770–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 5% | 740–770 | 770–800 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Chicago compared with other Illinois colleges?
University of Chicago has the lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 4% | 96% | $14,860 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 8% | 95% | $29,167 |
| 3 | Methodist College | 39% | 20% | $41,787 |
| 4 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 39% | 75% | $28,199 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 42% | 85% | $14,355 |
| 6 | Chicago State University | 43% | 15% | $12,335 |
| 7 | Principia College | 44% | 74% | — |
| 8 | Judson University | 48% | 60% | $18,558 |
| 9 | Governors State University | 48% | 22% | $12,329 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Chicago
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Chicago admissions questions
What is the University of Chicago acceptance rate?
University of Chicago accepts 4% of applicants, about 1 in 22. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,849 of 38,631 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Chicago require the SAT or ACT?
University of Chicago considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 46% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 30% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Chicago?
The middle 50% of University of Chicago enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Chicago?
88% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,626 of 1,849).
What does University of Chicago look for in applicants?
University of Chicago reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. Considered: class rank, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, religious affiliation, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does University of Chicago have early decision?
Yes. University of Chicago offers binding early decision. It also offers non-binding early action.
Is University of Chicago getting harder to get into?
University of Chicago accepted 4% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 5% for Fall 2023.
Is University of Chicago the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; University of Chicago's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Chicago overview