UChicago vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than UChicago based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 18,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

UChicago vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or IU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Bloomington than UChicago ($17,270 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 30.5% lower than at University of Chicago ($13,984 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 481.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $58,518 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.7% higher at UChicago than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $28,771 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $41,891.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Bloomington than at University of Chicago (73% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 494.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($62,300 vs. $10,487).

UChicago vs. IU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or IU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between IU and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 260 points higher than at IU (1290).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at IU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at IU (3.74).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 18.2% at IU.

UChicago vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and IU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Indiana University Bloomington's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $42,300 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($14,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($149 vs. $232).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.