- Acceptance rate: 4.5% for fall 2024
- SAT, middle 50%: 740–780 reading and writing, 770–800 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 34–35 composite
- Average net price: $27,979 a year (2022–23)
University of Chicago GPA calculator
On this page · 7 sections
How does your GPA compare?
Don't know your GPA? GPA calculator
Where you standEnter your GPA
Add a test score to compare it with what University of Chicago reported: an acceptance rate of 4.5% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 34–35.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Chicago reviews each application.
University of Chicago GPA requirements
University of Chicago doesn't require a high school GPA from first-year applicants but considers one if it's submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and University of Chicago hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.
University of Chicago acceptance rate
University of Chicago admitted 1,955 of 43,612 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 4.5%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
University of Chicago is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Chicago, Illinois, with 7,598 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Chicago in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| SAT Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| ACT English | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| ACT Math | 33 | 34 | 35 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1554 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What University of Chicago looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Required |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Required |
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
AP credit
University of Chicago awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $27,979 a year at University of Chicago in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 3.5 GPA get you into the University of Chicago?
GPA alone can't tell you here. University of Chicago admitted 4.5% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
How important is GPA for getting into the University of Chicago?
It's one factor among several: University of Chicago requires high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, test scores, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Chicago?
University of Chicago doesn't require a high school GPA but considers one if submitted, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.
How hard is it to get into the University of Chicago?
Very hard: fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. University of Chicago admitted 4.5% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What is the University of Chicago's acceptance rate?
University of Chicago's acceptance rate was 4.5% for fall 2024: it admitted 1,955 of 43,612 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.
Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Chicago?
No. University of Chicago is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 49% sent SAT scores and 27% sent ACT scores.
What SAT and ACT scores do the University of Chicago students have?
The middle 50% of University of Chicago's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 740–780 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 34–35, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
What do students pay at the University of Chicago after grants?
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $27,979 a year at University of Chicago in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Can you get college credit for AP scores at the University of Chicago?
Yes. University of Chicago awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Does the University of Chicago consider legacy status?
Yes. University of Chicago considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Before you apply, check the University of Chicago's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: University of ChicagoU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
Similar colleges in Illinois
With a similar acceptance rate and size.
- Northwestern UniversityVery hard · 7.7% admitted
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityModerate · 39% admitted
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignModerate · 42% admitted
- Governors State UniversityModerate · 48% admitted
- Chicago State UniversityModerate · 43% admitted
- Illinois Institute of TechnologyFairly easy · 55% admitted
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