Universities in Chicago, The United States

Chicago, on Lake Michigan in the state of Illinois, has one of the densest groups of universities in the United States. For an international student it offers a choice between large research universities, Catholic universities with a long local history, a college for the creative fields and specialised institutions for theology and law. Our directory lists seven universities and colleges in the city; the list below the text shows them all.

How university study works in the United States

According to EducationUSA, the State Department's study portal, nearly 4,000 accredited institutions make up US higher education. They are not managed centrally but accredited by independent bodies, so check accreditation before you apply; the US Department of Education publishes a database for this. A bachelor's degree takes four or five years and a master's degree usually two. "College" and "university" are often used for the same thing, although strictly a college offers only undergraduate degrees. The academic year typically runs from September to May in two semesters of 16 to 18 weeks; some schools use quarters or trimesters of 10 to 12 weeks.

What the universities offer

• The University of Chicago has existed for more than 125 years and has its campus in Hyde Park, on the South Side. It has 18,566 students, 7,598 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 (NCES College Navigator).
• Loyola University Chicago, a private Jesuit, Catholic research university established in 1870, has the Lake Shore Campus on Lake Michigan, the Water Tower Campus downtown and the Health Sciences Campus in Maywood. It has 17,384 students.
• DePaul University, a Catholic university founded in 1898, offers more than 128 undergraduate and 145 graduate programmes to 21,210 students.
• Saint Xavier University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846 and describes itself as Chicago's first Catholic university. It is a four-year, private Catholic institution.
• Columbia College Chicago has trained students in the creative fields for 135 years. Its campus is in the South Loop, and its students come from all 50 states and more than 65 countries.
• Moody Bible Institute, on North LaSalle Boulevard, is a Bible college with 2,202 students that awards degrees up to doctoral level.

The list also includes the LL.M. in International and Comparative Law of Chicago-Kent College of Law, a programme for students who already hold a law degree.

Costs

Fees at private US universities are high, so compare the full cost of attendance, not only tuition. According to NCES College Navigator, tuition and fees for a full-time first-year undergraduate in 2024-25 were $34,088 at Columbia College Chicago, $45,999 at DePaul, $53,710 at Loyola and $70,662 at the University of Chicago. Food and housing on campus added $19,095 at DePaul and $20,109 at the University of Chicago. Graduate fees differ by programme, so check the school's own fee page.

Practical tips

• Visa: degree students need an F student visa. Once a school certified by SEVP has admitted you, its international student office sends the Form I-20 that you need for the visa application.
• Work: according to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with the permission of the international student office.
• Transport: the CTA runs the 'L' trains and buses. A train ride costs $2.50 and a 30-day CTA/Pace pass $75 (fares in force since 20 February 2023). Students at participating schools get a U-Pass with unlimited CTA rides during their enrolment; Columbia College Chicago, DePaul, Loyola, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago-Kent and University of Chicago undergraduates are on the CTA list.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a university in Chicago cost?

Tuition and fees for first-year undergraduates in 2024-25 ranged from $34,088 at Columbia College Chicago to $70,662 at the University of Chicago, according to NCES. Food and housing on campus cost around $19,000 to $20,000 more per year.

Which visa do I need to study at a university in Chicago?

Degree students need an F student visa. You apply for it with the Form I-20 that the university's international student office sends after admission.

Can I work while studying in Chicago?

With the permission of the international student office, students on an F visa may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, according to EducationUSA.

Is there a student transit pass in Chicago?

Yes. Students at participating schools receive a CTA U-Pass with unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains while they are enrolled.