University of Chicago Ranking – Introduction
The University of Chicago is a private research university and the dream school of many students around the globe. In fact, the University of Chicago ranking globally is #13 according to Times Higher Education.
Affectionately known as UChicago, this midwestern university has an undergraduate population of 8,204 students. Including graduate students, the University of Chicago has a student population of nearly 20,000.
The University of Chicago offers 53 majors and 49 minors. Some of the most popular majors at the University of Chicago are data science, environmental and urban studies, molecular engineering, and neuroscience. Given its strong academic programs, the high University of Chicago ranking is no surprise.
Are you considering applying to the University of Chicago? Well then, maybe you’ve wondered about the University of Chicago ranking in Forbes. You may also be curious how the University of Chicago ranking compares to other top colleges.
Rankings can be a helpful tool to use while you are building a college list. You can find various college rankings online, each of which focuses on different elements of the student experience. You will find many different sources that publish rankings; however, some are more reliable than others.
In this guide we will cover the following topics:
- What is the University of Chicago ranking?
- Is the University of Chicago an Ivy League school?
- Is the University of Chicago prestigious?
- Understanding college rankings
- Reliable UChicago rankings
- University of Chicago ranking vs. Northwestern rankings
- Do the UChicago rankings change?
What is the University of Chicago Ranking?
U.S. New Ranking – University of Chicago
According to U.S. News and World Report, the University of Chicago ranking is #6 among National Universities.
The school also ranks #12 in best value schools. Other University of Chicago rankings include #30 in Most Innovative Schools and #32 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects.
Sources such as Forbes, US News & World Report, and the Wall Street Journal release rankings annually. Each of these sources uses different metrics. The University of Chicago ranking will vary depending on the source. This means that the University of Chicago ranking in US News & World Report will likely differ from the University of Chicago ranking in the Wall Street Journal. We will discuss some of the most reliable college ranking sources later in the article.
Wall Street Journal Rankings
No matter the source, the University of Chicago rankings are consistently high. In 2022, the University of Chicago ranking in the Wall Street Journal was just above the school’s ranking in U.S. News. According to the WSJ, the University of Chicago ranking for Best Overall College was #14 and the University of Chicago ranking within the Chicago area was #2. The Wall Street Journal also ranked the University of Chicago as the #2 college for academic resources in the Midwest.
Forbes Rankings
The University of Chicago ranking in Forbes is #28 on the Top Colleges of 2023 list. The school also ranks #21 in Private Colleges and #25 in Research Universities, according to Forbes.
Forbes also features some more money-minded college rankings. The University of Chicago was ranked #85 in Best Value Colleges in 2019 and Best Employers for New Grads in 2022. While Forbes does not publish the University of Chicago ranking world, the school is clearly renowned across college ranking bodies.
As you can see, rankings vary based on who publishes them. Often, when people think of the top-ranked institutions, they focus on the overall national college rankings category. However, you can learn a lot from program-specific rankings. Some of these include the University of Chicago ranking for engineering or the University of Chicago ranking for computer science.
Is University of Chicago an Ivy League School?
National college rankings do not determine whether a school is an Ivy League college. Rankings can shift from year to year, but the list of Ivy League institutions has been the same for centuries. There are eight Ivy League colleges; Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
While the Ivy League designation often notes prestige, there are many highly ranked colleges that are not on the list above. The University of Chicago is not an Ivy League Institution but is certainly considered a top college. In fact, the University of Chicago is ranked higher than many Ivy League institutions. Check out the US World News & Report top 25 national college rankings to see how non-Ivy League schools like the University of Chicago rankings stack up to their Ivy League counterparts.
Is University of Chicago prestigious?
Based on the University of Chicago ranking as a top 25 school on both the WSJ and US News rankings, along with other impressive national college rankings, the University of Chicago is considered a prestigious college choice for many students. Prestige is often associated with selectivity, historical relevance, and perception from the public. So, yes, the University of Chicago has all these things. However, prestige gives little insight into how good of a fit a college will be for an individual student.
While prestige may be the element that attracted you to a school like University of Chicago, we encourage you to dig a little deeper. Additional research will uncover the University of Chicago’s thriving student life opportunities, commitment to free speech, and celebration of the arts. These elements, in combination with national college rankings, should be used to make your ultimate college decision.
Understanding college rankings
It is imperative that students understand college rankings before using them to drive their decision-making process. Your college choice process should not be driven by rankings alone. Instead, you should use a combination of national college rankings, personal research, and individual fit to understand what college might be best for you.
Fit is mentioned quite a bit in the college search process. Finding a good “fit” just means prioritizing your unique talents, preferences, and needs while selecting a college. Therefore, there is no one ranking that can objectively determine the best school for you. There are thousands of colleges in the United States and your best “fit” school may not always show up on the top of a national college rankings list.
We are not suggesting that you forsake rankings completely. However, it is important to consider college characteristics outside of rankings when building a college list. Rankings can still be a valuable tool in your college search toolbox if used correctly. Rankings are most effective when they come from reliable sources.
The most reliable ranking sources show great transparency in what they base their national college rankings on. Examples of factors considered include admitted student GPA and SAT scores, graduation rates, financial resources available to students, and faculty resources. These measures attempt to provide an objective scorecard for prospective students and families alike.
In the College Advisor College Rankings Experts Guide, we go into great detail about the nuances of national college rankings and how they are determined. You can also learn more about Forbes college rankings, US News college rankings, and Wall Street Journal college rankings. Check out the guide to learn more about the University of Chicago rankings and how other college rankings can be used in the college admissions process.
Reliable UChicago Rankings
The most reputable national college rankings include the U.S. News college rankings, Forbes college rankings, and Wall Street Journal college rankings. The U.S. News college rankings are the most widely cited, largely because of their longevity. The U.S. News college rankings have been released annually for over 40 years, and the organization publishes its ranking methodologies online.
The Wall Street Journal college rankings and Forbes college rankings are equally respected due to their consistent and accurate reporting. Each of these sources explicitly states where their data comes from and what metrics they use to rank schools. The strong reputation of each organization gives legitimacy to the college rankings they publish.
Each of these sources uses data submitted directly by institutions to create their college rankings. For example, the University of Chicago ranking for engineering would be based on data submitted directly from the UChicago engineering department. This data source ensures that the University of Chicago ranking is up-to-date and truly representative of the academic department.
Most of this data is held in a public database called IPEDS (the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). IPEDS is supported by the Department of Education and provides extensive data on colleges and universities.
Other college ranking sources
US News college rankings, Forbes college rankings, and Wall Street Journal college rankings tend to dominate the list of trusted college rankings. However, you can find many sites ranking colleges. Some of these rankings can be useful if you care about specific features of different schools.
Niche is a great example of a website that publishes University of Chicago ratings from real students. It also includes University of Chicago rankings in several creative categories. Niche’s University of Chicago ratings are helpful for an informal review from students who have spent time on the campus.
Money.com also provides alternative University of Chicago rankings. Like Forbes, these rankings heavily consider career outcomes and the average salaries of graduates.
University of Chicago Ranking vs. Northwestern University
Northwestern and University of Chicago are two of the top schools in Chicago, so many students wonder how these two schools compare. Regional college rankings often compare the two schools due to their proximity and top-tier academics.
In 2022, Northwestern was ranked the #1 college in the Midwest for academic resources, with the University Chicago ranking coming in at #2 according to the Wall Street Journal.
If you look at national college ranking lists, you will find that the University of Chicago ranking will likely be higher than Northwestern’s. In the US News Top 25 college rankings, University of Chicago was ranked #6, while Northwestern was ranked #10.
Interested in learning more about University of Chicago and Northwestern University? Check out our recent webinar featuring panelists from both colleges.
Do the UChicago Rankings change?
The University of Chicago rankings can change from year to year; in fact, all rankings change. For a top 25 college like the University of Chicago, it is highly unlikely that shifts in rankings will be drastic. However, over time, a college can easily move up or down on the rankings list. Each year, colleges change. Acceptance rates might shift, new faculty might come in, or a college’s finances may dwindle. So, rankings are also bound to shift.
Staying up to date with rankings on an annual basis can help you understand how these shifts might affect schools on your college list. If you are looking for more specific rankings such as the University of Chicago ranking for computer science, you may find that these specific rankings will shift more often.
University of Chicago Ranking – Final Thoughts
The University of Chicago ranking and reputation speak to its robust academic offerings and stellar post-grad outcomes. So, the University of Chicago rankings can help you better understand if the University of Chicago is the right school for you.
Rankings are as close to an objective college rating as you will find. However, your own research will tell you more about UChicago than any college ranking. Set up a campus visit, attend a virtual information session, or reach out to a faculty member. This can give you more information than the University of Chicago rankings.
Considering the University of Chicago rankings, the admissions process is designed to identify some of the brightest students in the world. So, if you want to get into UChicago, you should do all you can to craft a compelling application.
Don’t let the University of Chicago ranking and reputation intimidate you. As you complete the admissions process, CollegeAdvisor is here to help. Click here to schedule a free strategy session, or check out our resources to help you tackle the UChicago essay prompts and other frequently asked questions.
This article was written by admissions officer, Chelsea Holley. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
