Physical Sciences at University of Chicago
University of Chicago awarded 135 bachelor's degrees in physical sciences in 2023, 7% of its 1,926 graduates, which makes it the 5th most common field of study at the school. Nationally, 1.29% of bachelor's degrees are in this field, so it is far more concentrated at University of Chicago (5.4x the national share). 44% of those graduates were women.
Is physical sciences competitive at University of Chicago?
Colleges report one admission rate for the whole school; here is the bar you are actually measured against, and how the model treats this major.
University of Chicago admitted 1,849 of 38,631 applicants for fall 2023 (4%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of Chicago. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than University of Chicago's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
How to apply to University of Chicago for physical sciences
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
- Chemistry and physics at the highest level, with calculus
- A lab or research experience, even a small one, described specifically
- Math depth matters as much as science grades here
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate at University of Chicago for physical sciences →
Where else to study physical sciences
Other colleges in Illinois and at a similar selectivity that award bachelor's degrees in this field.
Every college ranked by physical sciences graduates: colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors → · Physical Sciences colleges in Illinois →
More majors at University of Chicago
The other fields University of Chicago graduates the most students in, 2023.
Questions about physical sciences at University of Chicago
How many students major in physical sciences at University of Chicago?
135 students earned a bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of Chicago in 2023, 7% of that year's 1,926 graduates (IPEDS completions, first majors).
Is physical sciences competitive at University of Chicago?
University of Chicago admitted 1,849 of 38,631 applicants for fall 2023 (4%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of Chicago. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than University of Chicago's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
What is the acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of Chicago?
There is no official major-level acceptance rate; University of Chicago reports one school-wide figure, 4%. Some programs (direct-admit nursing, engineering and business schools) select separately and can be more selective than the school overall. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies its published per-major adjustment and shows your estimate for this school with the major set.
Is University of Chicago known for physical sciences?
By output, physical sciences is the 5th most common field at University of Chicago and far more concentrated there than at the average U.S. college (7% of graduates versus 1.29% nationally).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series). Admissions counts: IPEDS 2023. Built 2026-09-19. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.