Study in Chicago, The United States

About Chicago

Chicago, on the shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is the largest city in the state and one of the main centres for business, culture and research in the United States. It is a city of more than 200 neighbourhoods, from the Loop, the downtown business district, to Hyde Park on the South Side and Lincoln Park on the North Side.

For students, Chicago combines a large choice of universities with big-city internships, museums and music, although living costs are high.

Studying in Chicago

Our directory lists twelve schools in Chicago: seven universities and colleges, four study abroad programmes and one public high school district. They range from a research university to Catholic universities and an arts college:

• The University of Chicago in Hyde Park has existed for more than 125 years. College Navigator, the U.S. Department of Education's database, counts 18,566 students, 7,598 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.
• Loyola University Chicago, a Jesuit university established in 1870, has its Lake Shore Campus on Lake Michigan, the Water Tower Campus downtown and a Health Sciences Campus in Maywood. It offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and minors and over 180 graduate programmes.
• DePaul University describes itself as the largest Catholic university in the United States, with over 128 undergraduate and 145 graduate programmes and 21,210 students.
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit college for creative fields in the South Loop, with students from all 50 states and more than 65 countries.
• Saint Xavier University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846 and calls itself Chicago's first Catholic university.

The directory also lists Moody Bible Institute, a Christian college; Chicago-Kent College of Law, the law school of Illinois Institute of Technology, with an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law; IES Abroad, a study abroad provider with programmes in Barcelona, Madrid and Salamanca; and Community High School District 94 in West Chicago, a western suburb. Teaching is in English throughout.

Admission and student visa

Each university sets its own admission requirements, including the English test it accepts. After admission, the international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes), which students take to a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F student visa. According to EducationUSA, the academic year usually runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus for up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

Most universities in our list are private, and fees vary widely. For a first-year undergraduate in 2024-25, College Navigator gives these tuition and fee figures:

• The University of Chicago: $70,662, plus $20,109 for food and housing on campus
• Loyola University Chicago: $53,710
• DePaul University: $45,999, plus $19,095 for food and housing on campus
• Columbia College Chicago: $34,088

Public transport is a clear saving. On the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), a train ride costs $2.50 and a bus ride $2.25, with up to two further rides within two hours free; a 7-day pass costs $20 and a 30-day pass $75 (fares in force since 20 February 2023). Students at participating schools, including Columbia College Chicago, DePaul, Loyola, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago-Kent and the University of Chicago's undergraduates, receive a U-Pass with unlimited CTA rides during their enrolment.

Getting around and daily life

The CTA's 'L' trains and buses cover the city, and the 'L' has a station at O'Hare International Airport, where a higher fare applies when boarding. The lakefront, parks and the cultural institutions of the South Loop are close to several campuses.

Winters are cold and summers warm. At O'Hare, the 1991-2020 normals of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information give an average temperature of 25.2 °F (about -4 °C) in January and 75.4 °F (about 24 °C) in July, when average daily highs reach 84.5 °F (about 29 °C).

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Chicago?

Our directory includes the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, Saint Xavier University, Moody Bible Institute and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

How much does a year at university in Chicago cost?

Tuition and fees at the private universities in our list ranged from $34,088 to $70,662 for first-year undergraduates in 2024-25, according to College Navigator. On-campus food and housing adds around $19,000 to $20,000.

How much does public transport cost for students in Chicago?

A CTA train ride costs $2.50 and a 30-day pass $75. Students at participating schools get a U-Pass with unlimited CTA rides while they are enrolled.

How cold is Chicago in winter?

January averages 25.2 °F (about -4 °C) at O'Hare, according to NOAA's 1991-2020 normals, so warm winter clothing is essential.