University of Chicago
UChicago reads submitted scores but will not let them count against an applicant.
Data sourced from Common Data Set (Institutional), Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 20, 2026.
Preparation
This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.
Admissions
How admission works here
- Where you apply
- The Common App. Common App requirements grid
- Test scores
- Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. UChicago reads submitted scores but will not let them count against an applicant. UChicago college admissions
- Essays
- The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
- Recommendations
- 2 teacher recommendations. Common App requirements grid
- Application fee
- $90. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
- Deadlines
- Early Decision (binding) November 2, Early Decision II (binding) January 4, Early Action November 2, Regular Decision January 4. Common App requirements grid
My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.
- 1Quantitative Economics
- 2Computer Science
- 3Mathematics
- 4Biology
- 5Experimental Psychology
- 6Public Policy Analysis
- 7Political Science
- 8History
- 9Neuroscience
- 10Philosophy
Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so University of Chicago may call a major something slightly different.
Applying
Applying through the Common App
- Application fee
- $90
- Common App fee waiver
- Accepted
- Common App personal essay
- Required
- Recommendations
- 2 teacher recommendations
Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.
College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.
View official application requirementsMusic & Sports Tracks
Sports
Academics
Flagship Programs
Career & Major Pathways
Cost
This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.
Financial Aid
What families actually paid, by household income
Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.
- Under $30,000
- -$1,264
- $30,001 – $48,000
- $914
- $48,001 – $75,000
- $226
- $75,001 – $110,000
- $12,602
- Over $110,000
- $48,524
A negative figure means the average aid package was larger than the school's full cost of attendance — those families were paid the difference rather than billed.
College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024
Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.
Scholarships and merit aid
UChicago is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets full demonstrated need; it does not offer merit-based scholarships -- all institutional aid is need-based.
Campus
Campus Fit
*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024
†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27
‡UChicago college admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Oct 20, 2026