University of Chicago

An intellectual destination

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world.

An empowering education

In all we do, we are driven to dig deeper, push further, and ask bigger questions—and to leverage our knowledge to enrich all human life. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas.

• Undergraduate

Students in the College develop critical, analytical, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary Core curriculum.

• Graduate

Graduate students across five divisions and six professional schools test their ideas with other UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

Distinguished alumni and faculty

By uniting diverse faculty and students for more than a century, the University of Chicago has fostered one of the most unique—and decorated—intellectual communities in the world. Faculty, researchers, and alumni have earned 90 Nobel Prizes and 50 MacArthur “genius grants”—along with numerous other national medals and fellowships. 

Our creative students and alumni drive innovation, lead international conversations, and make masterpieces. Alumni and faculty, lecturers and postdocs go on to become  CEOs, university presidents, attorneys general, literary giants, and astronauts. 

An international network of resources

UChicago researchers and scholars transform the way we see the world.

As anchors for teaching and research in Europe and Asia, our global University centers host exciting and innovative academic programs, conferences, and public lectures, as well as events that offer opportunities to meet alumni and other friends of UChicago. As academic homes for our own students and faculty, as well as alumni, visiting scholars, and the public, the centers are forums for exchange, dialogue, and collaboration.

• Center in Beijing
• Center in Delhi
• Center in Hong Kong
• Center in Paris

The University manages Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, has direct oversight of the Marine Biological Laboratory, and is a founding partner of the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization. These relationships connect UChicago faculty and students to world-leading researchers and facilities.

• Argonne National Laboratory
• Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
• Marine Biological Laboratory
• Giant Magellan Telescope Organization

Innovation and impact

We generate new insights for the benefit of present and future generations. UChicago researchers have led such breakthroughs as discovering the link between cancer and genetics, establishing revolutionary theories of economics, and developing tools to produce reliably excellent urban schooling.

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation drives venture creation and technology commercialization at UChicago. Through education, partnerships, and new venture support, the Polsky Center advances the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship, accelerates the commercialization of research, and helps the UChicago community navigate the complex process of creating and growing a startup.

A transformative experience

In a culture of fearless inquiry, University of Chicago students ask tough questions, celebrate new ideas, and form a community as supportive as it is transformative. Here’s what they have to say about UChicago:

Diversity

“I’m impressed by the diversity here—the wealth of international students and how welcome they are on campus, and the gender ratio. People of all kinds of backgrounds come here. What we have in common is a passion for what we study.”—Jinqiao Lin, MS’17, Physical Sciences Division

Inquiry

“My favorite thing about UChicago is the open exchange of ideas in every class or workshop. There is so much encouragement here for pursuing alternative ways of doing research.”—Michael Allemana, PhD candidate, Music

Impact

“The social fabric of the University is allowing me to realize my potential. It’s not just about the classes, it’s the entire string of efforts the University invests into its students. I needed a university that would do that for me, go beyond just a degree. UChicago helps us to get to know ourselves better, realize our full potential, and paves the way for us to realize our goals better and see how far we can go in life.”
—Rhea Mahanta, MA student, International Relations

Chicago

 “I love Chicago and the creative energy it gives me.”—RL Watson, PhD candidate, Divinity School

Students, faculty, and alumni

• 5,971 undergraduate students
• 10,045 graduate, professional, and other students
• 2,350 full-time faculty
• 169,000 alumni in 133 countries

Accolades

• 90 Nobel Prize winners, including 6 current faculty
• 10 Rhodes scholars over the last decade
• 95 Fulbright scholars over the last decade

Academics

• 56 majors and 40 minors in the undergraduate College
• 5 divisions and 6 professional schools for graduate study

Campus

• 217 acres; designated a botanic garden
• 10th largest research library in North America, with more than 11 million volumes