University of Chicago Acceptance Rate
Chicago, Illinois · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 38,631
- Admitted
- 1,849
- Yield
- 87.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Chicago's acceptance rate has fallen from 8.8% in 2014–15 to 4.8% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 27,500 to 38,631 (+40%) over that period.
Its 4.8% rate makes University of Chicago more selective than about 99% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 50 tracked Illinois schools, it is more selective than about 98%.
University of Chicago has been test-optional since 2018–19. Of admitted students, 87.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 27,500 | 2,409 | 8.8% | 1,445 |
| 2015–16 | 30,069 | 2,521 | 8.4% | 1,537 |
| 2016–17 | 31,484 | 2,499 | 7.9% | 1,591 |
| 2017–18 | 27,694 | 2,419 | 8.7% | 1,736 |
| 2018–19 | 32,283 | 2,345 | 7.3% | 1,805 |
| 2019–20 | 34,641 | 2,137 | 6.2% | 1,726 |
| 2020–21 | 34,350 | 2,510 | 7.3% | 1,847 |
| 2021–22 | 37,974 | 2,460 | 6.5% | 2,053 |
| 2022–23 | 37,522 | 2,039 | 5.4% | 1,729 |
| 2023–24 | 38,631 | 1,849 | 4.8% | 1,626 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 21,249 | 855 | 4% |
| Men | 17,373 | 994 | 5.7% |
| Another gender | 9 | 0 | 0% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 740–770 | 46% |
| SAT Math | 770–800 | |
| ACT Composite | 34–35 | 30% |
How University of Chicago compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Chicago's acceptance rate?
University of Chicago's acceptance rate is 4.8% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (1,849 admitted of 38,631 applicants).
Is University of Chicago test optional?
University of Chicago is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Chicago?
University of Chicago received 38,631 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 1,849.
What SAT score do you need for University of Chicago?
Admitted students at University of Chicago typically scored 740–770 on SAT Reading/Writing and 770–800 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Chicago getting harder to get into?
University of Chicago has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 8.8% in 2014–15 to 4.8% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.uchicago.edu/.