CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of Chicago acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of Chicago is a private university in Illinois with a 5% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Illinois schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
5%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1570
of admitted students
Type
Private
Illinois
Selectivity in state
#1
of 37 in IL
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What University of Chicago looks for

What University of Chicago weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Chicago

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Chicago
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of Chicago compares in Illinois

University of Chicago ranks #1 most selective of 37 schools in Illinois in our database.

Northwestern University
7%acceptance · IL
University of Illinois
45%acceptance · IL
Illinois Wesleyan University
52%acceptance · IL
Lake Forest College
55%acceptance · IL
Chicago State University
56%acceptance · IL
Trinity Christian College
60%acceptance · IL
Augustana College
62%acceptance · IL
North Central College
62%acceptance · IL
See all Illinois schools →

Similar to University of Chicago

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Brown University
5%acceptance · RI
Yale University
5%acceptance · CT
Dartmouth College
6%acceptance · NH
Duke University
6%acceptance · NC
University of Pennsylvania
6%acceptance · PA
Vanderbilt University
6%acceptance · TN

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of Chicago?

University of Chicago has a 5% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of Chicago?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1570. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of Chicago value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Chicago weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of Chicago?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of Chicago in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full University of Chicago chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.