University of Chicago
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against UChicago’s own pages.
Check my chances at UChicagoLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
University of Chicago: highlights
The University of Chicago is a private research university on the south side of Chicago, ranked 24th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It has the highest published cost of attendance of the US universities profiled here, but international first-year applicants can be considered for both need-based and merit-based aid.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. UChicago reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 103,821 for 2026-2027, including tuition of USD 75,960, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Need-based and merit-based aid open to international first-years.
- Tests: UChicago is test-optional, so SAT or ACT scores are not required.
- Deadlines: Early Action and Early Decision I: 1 November. Early Decision II and Regular Decision: Early January.
Key facts
University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. International applicants apply in the same way as every other first-year applicant.
UChicago rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 24 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are UChicago’s figures for 2026-2027, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | USD 75,960 |
| Food and housing, on campus | USD 21,414 |
| Travel allowance | USD 702 |
| Total, on campus, including fees, books and personal costs | USD 103,821 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What UChicago asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | UChicago is test-optional, so SAT or ACT scores are not required |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| English proficiency | UChicago does not offer an ESL programme for admitted students, so your English must already be at degree level |
UChicago: yearly intakes
UChicago admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action and Early Decision I | August or September | 1 November | Decision: December |
| Early Decision II and Regular Decision | August or September | Early January | Decision: March |
International applicants apply in the same way as every other first-year applicant.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
UChicago is test-optional, so SAT or ACT scores are not required. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: See UChicago’s application page.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Need-based and merit-based aid open to international first-years.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
University of Chicago
- Policy
- Need-based and merit-based aid open to international first-years
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
First-year international applicants are eligible for both need-based and merit-based aid. UChicago treats you as international for aid purposes if you are neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident, wherever you live. Aid is not offered to international transfer students.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at UChicago
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 21,414 for food and housing for 2026-2027.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 103,821 for 2026-2027, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after UChicago
Reputation
- 24 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Need-based and merit-based aid open to international first-years.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
UChicago: FAQs
Can I get into UChicago with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: UChicago looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. International applicants apply in the same way as every other first-year applicant.
How much does UChicago cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-2027 is USD 103,821, which includes tuition of USD 75,960 and USD 21,414 for food and housing.
Does UChicago give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
First-year international applicants are eligible for both need-based and merit-based aid. UChicago treats you as international for aid purposes if you are neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident, wherever you live. Aid is not offered to international transfer students.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for UChicago?
UChicago is test-optional, so SAT or ACT scores are not required.
When is the UChicago deadline?
Early Action and Early Decision I: 1 November. Early Decision II and Regular Decision: Early January. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 103,821 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- UChicago: undergraduate costs ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UChicago: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.