Best Universities in Chicago: Fees, Courses & Ranking for 2025

If an American degree is on your radar, don’t overlook Chicago. It doesn't have the hype of New York or LA, and that's exactly why you should consider it—it's cheaper, teeming with prestigious universities, and actually decent for jobs post-graduation. Whether you're into research-focused schools or more hands-on institutes, you can have it all here without the overblown factors everyone else has to deal with.

Why Chicago?

Chicago is a place where things get done. The local universities aren't just academic the schools tie into local industries like tech, public health, finance, and policy. You’ll have professors who know what they’re talking about, curricula that aren’t stuck in the past, and degree programs built around what employers actually want. Plus, you'll find yourself in a substantial Indian community, close transport, and neighborhoods where international students can quietly mesh into the city.

Top Universities in Chicago for Indian Students

University of Chicago (UChicago)

But let's be real. UChicago isn't for everyone. It’s an intense place, and most people come here to think really hard rather than simply “chill.” They're not joking when they say things like “you can’t have everything.” But if you want top-tier theoretical expertise in subjects like economics, law, or computer science, this is the place in the U.S. Other unis are partly focused on relaxing; here you’ll really have to get down to business. But if what you’re after is to hack interesting ideas and beat the rest of the world’s brains at them, this is probably the place for you. Hyde Park feels a bit isolated, but in a sort of good, anti-mall way, like its own little city.

What this means: UChicago will seriously impress both your peers and mommy, but it's hard to get into and quite expensive. But if you're planning to aim for the top global jobs, or perhaps even a PhD, this place is probably worth it.

Northwestern University

Northwestern is just outside the city in Evanston. It's mellower but not totally relaxed and definitely academic. Northwestern University is good at multiple things—but check the exact plan because some of them are more balanced than others. If you want to do engineering or journalism or business among students who wouldn't mind getting out of bed, this could be the university for you. Also, the lakeside campus is beautiful.

What this means: Northwestern is still a name brand; you’ll mostly be with the nerds, but other people “care” a little. It’s still competitive, but not cutthroat. If you like the idea of stalky nerds in a frat house, you should like this school.

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

UIC is the biggest public university in Chicago and offers a lot of bang for a lower price. The education is decent, and you won't have to live on ramen as much as at a private university. If you want to study engineering or the pre-health professions, this is popular with those students. And you can't beat the location, right inside a big city. UIC is also one of the most diverse colleges in the country, which helps international students feel at home more quickly.

What this means: Think Gotham City instead of New York—still a major metropolis, but way cheaper and less claustrophobic. If you're more interested in a solid American degree than brand prestige, check out UIC.

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT Chicago)

What do you do if you want a serious computer science or engineering degree and don’t want to pay Ivy prices? Go to IIT. IIT Chicago emphasizes actual hands-on learning, so unlike some schools you won’t only be reading about building things, you’ll actually be building things. It doesn't have a great national reputation, but people in the relevant fields have heard of it. In particular the AI and data science programs are good.

What this means: For a self-selected group of nerds, IIT is generally seen as a way to get a serious job in the U.S. without needing to pay for Harvard. If your game plan is to come to the U.S. on a student visa and then use OPT and the STEM extension to stay here permanently, IIT is a good choice.

Loyola University Chicago

If you're into health sciences, psychology or business, you should take a look at Loyola. Even though it’s a Jesuit school, it’s something of a sleeper university—Loyola isn’t on the global radar. But the programs are good and the Lakeshore campus is beautiful.

What this means: You won't be able to show off a Loyola degree, at least not as a recruit, but if you’re studying to get a job, this is a good bet.

DePaul University

DePaul means business in a couple of senses. This is where to go if you don’t want to seem pretentious or elitist and you want a degree to get a job. The campus is right downtown in the Loop, which is great for internships. The biggest programs are in practical fields, like business, media and technology, and they run on a quarter system instead of semesters, which means that you get to cover stuff that much faster, sometimes making it useful for graduating earlier or doubling-up in majors.

What this means: You might actually get a job, although it's questionable whether going this route will be the best way to get one. What you won't be getting is top-tier prestige.

University Rankings in Chicago (2025)

Rankings reflect prestige and research focus, not teaching quality or job-readiness. UChicago and Northwestern are globally elite. UIC and IIT are respected for practical skills. Don’t pick schools based on rankings—look at ROI and fit.
 

Tuition Fees: Public vs Private (UG/PG)

Public institutions like UIC are much cheaper. Private universities cost more—not always, but often. Check about scholarships or internships paying tuition for big programs.

Living Costs in Chicago (Per Year, INR)

You won't be living cheap. Rent and food will dominate your budget. But Chicago won't cost as much as a college town in California. You can save by sharing apartments and cooking for yourself.
 

Admission Requirements (Indian Students)

Undergraduate

• Class 10 & 12 transcripts (CBSE/ICSE/state) SAT/ACT (optional at some schools) IELTS (6.5–7.5) or TOEFL (90–105) SOP and 2–3 LORs

Postgraduate

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably 4-year) GRE/GMAT (depends on program) IELTS (7+) or TOEFL (100+) SOP + 2–3 strong LORs Work experience (for MBA)

Scholarships for Indian Students

Most universities will have internal scholarships depending on your profile. The most prestigious is one you probably have not even heard of, the Fulbright-Nehru, so you should probably plan backups if you apply.
 

Major Employers in Chicago (Internships & Jobs)

• Boeing
• McDonald’s
• United Airlines
• Kraft Heinz
• Exelon
• Allstate
• Abbott
• Walgreens Boots Alliance
• Northern Trust
• Accenture (regional HQ)

You'll have companies to work for in the usual fields of tech, health, finance, and logistics, and most schools will have career services to help you land interviews and temporary work during OPT.

Final Thoughts

Chicago doesn't usually come to mind when people think about studying in the U.S. That’s a mistake. You can find first-rate universities, career prospects, and a standard of living that doesn’t leave you impoverished to do it. Whether you want a prestigious name brand or an ROI bargain deal, you'll find something here that fits.