UChicago vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UChicago based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 18,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

UChicago vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than UChicago ($24,696 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 32.5% lower than at University of Chicago ($13,564 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 405.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $56,686 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.1% higher at UChicago than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $41,352 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of Chicago (73% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 660.1% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($62,300 vs. $8,196).

UChicago vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or UC? 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 UC and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 280 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 22.5% at UC.

UChicago vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $52,900 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($14,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($149 vs. $237).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 57%)

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.