University of Illinois Chicago Fees and Programs

The University of Illinois Chicago fees for international graduate students are approximately $29,000 per year. Along with this, the estimated cost of living — including accommodation, food, and personal expenses — comes to around $16,000 annually. This brings the total yearly cost to roughly $45,000, which is approximately ₹36,90,000 INR (calculated at 1 USD = ₹82 INR).

Located in the Near West Side of Chicago, UIC is a major public research university and the second campus established under the University of Illinois system. It is also the largest university in the Chicago metropolitan area, with over 33,000 students enrolled across 16 colleges. UIC holds an R1 classification, indicating very high research activity.

UIC is particularly well-regarded for several of its graduate programs. According to U.S. News rankings, its Pharmacy program is ranked #6, Nursing at #17, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy both at #16, Public Health at #23, Clinical Psychology at #50, and Medicine (Research) at #52.

With its combination of strong academic reputation, a central Chicago location, and a diverse student community, UIC offers a competitive environment for international students seeking quality education and research opportunities in the United States.

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Know in detail about University of Illinois Chicago’s popular programs

PhD in Economics

MS in Management Information Systems

Masters in Urban Planning & Policy

BS in Entrepreneurship

University of Illinois Chicago Acceptance Rate

UIC’s overall acceptance rate is approximately 78–79%, making it moderately selective

University of Illinois Chicago Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate (First-Year)

• High School Diploma from a regionally accredited institution.

• Competitive GPA averaging around 3.5/4.0

• Standardized tests (SAT/ACT) are optional, but most admitted students fall in the SAT 1070–1340 (middle 50%) or ACT 25–32 range

Transfer Students

• Typically requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in completed college coursework

International Undergraduate Applicants

• Must meet UIC’s English proficiency standards, e.g.,

  • SAT Reading ≥ 570 (pre-2016 Critical Reading ≥ 530), ACT English ≥ 24, AP English ≥ 4, or IB English ≥ 5

• TOEFL (iBT ≥ 80) or IELTS (≥ 6.5 overall; min 6.0 each) typically accepted

Postgraduate (Graduate/Professional)

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (U.S. or international equivalent)

• Minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0 in the final 60 credit hours, and 3.0/4.0 overall for graduate-level work

International Graduate Applicants

• TOEFL (iBT ≥ 79 with section minimums) or IELTS (minimum band scores)

• Programs may require GRE, personal statement, resume/CV, recommendation letters, and writing samples

University of Illinois Chicago Admission Requirements

Undergraduate (First-Year & Transfer)

1. Application: Submit via UIC’s online portal or the Common App (undergraduate).

2. Documents: High school transcripts; optional SAT/ACT scores; English proficiency test results (if applicable); sometimes recommendation letters.

3. Supplemental Info: Highlight extracurriculars or special talents in personal essays.

4. Deadlines:

   • Early Action: Nov 1 (optional)

   • Regular Decision: Feb 3 (First-Year) and April 1 (Transfer)

5. Decision & Enrollment: Offers made by spring; admitted students must confirm enrollment and pay applicable fees.

Graduate / Professional Admission

1. Online Application + Fee (often USD $60–160) .

2. Academic Credentials: Upload official transcripts (last 60 credits for U.S., full transcripts plus credential evaluation fee for international applicants)

3. Test Requirements: TOEFL/IELTS; GRE/GMAT if required by the program.

4. Supporting Materials: CV, personal statement, recommendation letters, writing samples, etc. .

5. Review & Decision: Admissions committees assess academic standing, fit, and supporting documents; successful candidates are issued acceptance letters and, if international, an I-20 for visa processing.

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