
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a public research university located in metro Chicago. UIC is one of the top 200 research-funded institutions in the world. It has 15 academic colleges, and 13 inter-college programs or centers of study.
UIC offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and minors, and pre-professional degree programs. There are hundreds of choices for a course of study, spanning the arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, and more. Pre-professional programs prepare students for graduate work in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law.
UIC boasts the largest College of Medicine in the United States. It also has a well-reputed College of Dentistry. UIC offers many masters and doctoral degree programs ranging from architecture and the arts, to business and the sciences, social work, and more.
The UIC faculty is highly acclaimed, with two MacArthur Genius Award winners, and several winners of awards, grants and fellowships from organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Science, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Institutes of Health, and more.
History
The University of Illinois was founded in 1867, under the name of the Illinois Industrial University, as a land-grant institution established through the Morrill Act. The school opened in Urbana-Champaign in 1868.
A temporary, two-year branch of the university opened in 1946 at the Navy Pier Campus in Chicago. The primary purpose of this branch was to educate returning war veterans. Students and faculty at the two-year Navy Pier branch led a movement to establish a permanent four-year branch of the University of Illinois in Chicago.
In 1965, the Navy Pier branch was replaced by the Chicago Circle Campus, which offered a more comprehensive academic curriculum. In 1982, the University of Illinois at Chicago was formed through the consolidation of the University of Illinois' Medical Center Campus and the Chicago Circle Campus.
Academics
The academic calendar for the University of Illinois at Chicago follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters and two shorter summer sessions.
Colleges and Schools
The University of Illinois at Chicago divides its academic units into colleges and programs, as follows:
Colleges:
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- College of Architecture & The Arts
- College of Business Administration
- College of Dentistry
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Graduate College
- Honors College
- College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- College of Medicine
- College of Medicine at Chicago
- College of Nursing
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Public Health
- College of Social Work
- College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs
Inter-College Academic Programs:
- Cancer Center
- Center for Cardiovascular Research
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science
- Center for Structural Biology
- Council on Teacher Education
- Graduate Education in Medical Sciences
- Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions
- Moving Image Arts
- National Center for Excellence in Women's Health
- Neuroscience
- Office of International Affairs
- Office of Special Scholarship Programs
- Study Abroad Office
Student Life
UIC offers more than 200 student clubs, groups and organizations, including Greek fraternities and sororities. The student organizations represent a range of interests from academic, to religious, cultural, political and recreational. Student government offers opportunities for leadership. Many student organizations host guest speakers and workshops, or offer internships and volunteer opportunities to help students network with others and develop to their furthest potential.
Student Services at UIC include Family Medical Centers and CampusCare for healthcare needs, Career Services, Counseling Service, a Children's Center, Disability Resources, Computing Services, Legal Services, and more.
While many students choose off-campus living to enjoy the excitement of city life in Chicago, there is also on-campus housing available. On-campus housing options offer easy access to fitness facilities, campus cafes, and many other dining and recreational services.
Traditions
The UIC school colors are red and blue, the athletic teams are called the "Flames," and the school mascot is a dragon named "Sparky."
Athletics
The UIC "Flames" athletic teams have won numerous championships and compete in 18 intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country & Track and Field
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country & Track and Field
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
The University of Illinois at Chicago is situated on one campus of 240 acres, which is divided into three parts: Westside Campus, Eastside Campus and South Campus. UIC has more than 100 buildings scattered among each area or division of its campus. Students can travel around the three campus divisions easily by using the Intra-campus Bus Service.
Community Life
Since 1993, UIC has run a "Great Cities Commitment" program that involves UIC faculty, students and staff in partnering with government organizations, businesses and community to address community concerns. Community projects have involved healthcare, education, affordable housing, economic development and transportation. The mission of the program is to improve the quality of life for residents of Chicago and neighboring communities through urban research.
The UC Campus is in the heart of metro Chicago, minutes away from restaurants, shopping, Chicago's lakefront and music concerts and events at millennium Park. Many art and science museums also are accessible via convenient transportation.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give you an idea of the candidates University of Illinois at Chicago accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at University of Illinois at Chicago is around 29,000 students. The enrollment breakdown by academic level is 12% enrolling as graduate students and 61% as undergraduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $11,500. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $50 application fee for those applying to a program. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- In-State: $12,000-$14,000
- Out-of-State: $24,000-$29,240
- Charges for part-time students are:
- In-State: $1,800-$2,100 per unit
- Out-of-State: $3,900-$4,700 per unit
- Some programs may have tuition rates that will remain the same as the first year for up to five years.
Financial Aid Details
The financial aid table below details the types of financial aid, along with the percent of students receiving aid, and on average the amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 83% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 69% | $13,424 |
Receiving Student Loans | 43% | $6,614 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, University of Illinois at Chicago may offer services to students including:- Distance learning
- Remedial courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Day care
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of University of Illinois at Chicago is around 57%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 30% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 21% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 6% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
Campus: University of Illinois at Chicago
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Dietetics Program
- Coordinated Dietetics Program
- Endodontics Program
- English Language Program
- Health Services Administration Program
- Medical (M.D.) Program
- Nurse Midwifery Education Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Program
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Program
- Pediatric Dentistry Program
- Periodontics Program
- Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) Program
- Prosthodontics Program
- Master's in Public Health (M.P.H.) Program
Campus: University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Medicine at Rockford
- Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) Program
- * Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (since 1939)
Intercollegiate Athletics
University of Illinois at Chicago is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-AAA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Horizon League)
- Basketball (Horizon League)
- Track and Field (Horizon League)
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by University of Illinois at Chicago by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Architecture
- Urban Planning (M)
- Architecture (B, M)
- Architectural History and Criticism (M)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, D, M)
- Biochemistry (B)
- Neuroscience (B, D)
- Biotechnology (M)
- Pharmacology (D)
- Bioinformatics (M)
- Microbiology and Immunology (D)
- Physiology (D, M)
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences (D)
- Cell Biology and Anatomy (D)
- Pathology, Experimental Pathology (D, M)
- Molecular Pharmacology (D, M)
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, D, M)
- Finance (B, M)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Management Science (B)
- Entrepreneurship (B)
- Real Estate
- Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services
Communications and Journalism
- Communication, General (B, D, M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Systems Analyst (D, M)
- Computer Science (B, D, M)
- Information Science (B)
Education
- Educational, Instructional and Curriculum Supervision (M)
- Elementary Education (B)
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research (M)
- English and Language Arts Teacher Education (B)
- History Teacher Education (B, M)
- Special Education (D, M)
- Urban Education and Leadership (D)
- Health Occupations Teacher Education (M)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B, M)
- Spanish Language Teacher Education (B, M)
- Curriculum and Instruction (D)
- Chemistry Teacher Education (B)
- Learning Sciences
- Art Teacher Education
- French Language Teacher Education
- German Language Teacher Education
- Physics Teacher Education
Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Civil Engineering (B, D, M)
- Biomedical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Engineering (M)
- Chemical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Industrial Engineering (B, D, M)
- Computer Engineering (B)
- Materials Engineering (D, M)
- Engineering Physics (B)
Engineering Technology
English Language and Literature
- English (B, D, M)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Latin American Studies (B, M)
- Disability Studies (D, M)
- Ethnic and Cultural Minority Studies (B)
- African-American Black Studies (B)
- German Studies (B, D, M)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Development (M)
- Human Development, Family Studies
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Spanish Language and Literature (B, D, M)
- Linguistics (M)
- French Language and Literature (B, M)
- Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (M)
- Russian Language and Literature (B)
- Polish Language and Literature
- Italian Language and Literature
- Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
Health and Clinical Professions
- Medicine (D)
- Nursing (B)
- Nursing Science (D, M)
- Pharmacy (D)
- Public Health (B, D, M)
- Dentistry (D)
- Medical Records Administrator (B, C, M)
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Occupational Therapy (D, M)
- Health Services Administration (M)
- Medical Illustration (M)
- Dietetics (B, D, M)
- Advanced Dentistry and Oral Sciences (D, M)
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences (D, M)
- Rehabilitation Science (M)
- Nursing Practice (D)
- Orthodontics, Orthodontology (C)
- Medical Scientist (M)
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (D, M)
- Periodontics, Periodontology (C)
- Prosthodontics, Prosthodontology (C)
- Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (D, M)
- Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulatory Affairs (M)
- Oral Biology and Oral Pathology
- Endodontics, Endodontology
- Oral, Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry, Pedodontics
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
History
- History (B, D, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Mathematics and Computer Science (B)
- Museum Studies (M)
- Ancient Mediterranean, Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology (B)
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
- Statistics (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, D, M)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B, D, M)
- Educational Psychology (D)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (C, D, M)
- Public Administration (D, M)
- Public Policy
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B, D, M)
- Forensic Science (M)
Social Sciences
- Sociology (B, D, M)
- Political Science (B, D, M)
- Economics (B, D, M)
- Anthropology (B, D, M)
- Urban Studies (B, D)
- Geography (M)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Graphic Design (B, M)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B, M)
- Industrial Design (B, M)
- Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (B)
- Art History (B, D, M)
- Photography (M)
- Music (B)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Cinematography And Film (M)
- Music Performance (B)
- Jazz and Jazz Studies (B)
- Design and Applied Arts (M)
- Theatre Design and Technology (B)
- Acting (B)
- Film, Video and Photographic Arts
- Music Management
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to University of Illinois at Chicago.
- Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL (8 miles away)
- Chicago State University in Chicago, IL (11 miles away)
- Purdue University - Calumet Campus in Hammond, IN (22 miles away)
- Indiana University - Northwest in Gary, IN (27 miles away)
- Governors State University in University Park, IL (29 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Browse through our complete list of colleges in Illinois
- Compare other Illinois state universities