4 Best Public Universities in Chicago for International Students

Search Courses:

Chicago is one of the cities in United States you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Chicago can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 19 universities you can find in Chicago, Illinois, and 4 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Chicago a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Chicago, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 Northwestern University Chicago, United States
2 University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, United States
3 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, United States
4 Chicago State University Chicago, United States

Public Universities in Chicago

1. Northwestern University

  • Northwestern University Page
  • Northwestern University was founded in 1851 in Evanston, Illinois with the intention of making education accessible to the people from the northwest. The university now has over 21,000 students enrolled in its three campuses, 5,500 of which come from different countries across the globe. International mobility is one of the key focus areas at the university, which is why it actively participates in exchange programs, collaborative research, and other international engagement activities.

    2. University of Illinois Chicago

  • University of Illinois Chicago Page
  • UIC, or the University of Illinois Chicago, is among the excellent research institutions in Chicago, Illinois. It is a welcoming university that is home to students who come from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Teachings and training at UIC are public service-oriented, with students becoming future professionals with a passion for serving the communities.

    3. Northeastern Illinois University

  • Northeastern Illinois University Page
  • Northeastern Illinois University was established in 1857 in Chicago, Illinois as a teacher’s college. In the 1970’s, the university started to offer courses in other areas such as art, business, and applied sciences. It now offers more than 70 study programs for undergraduate and graduate students  as well as study abroad programs in one of its more than 40 international partner universities.

    4. Chicago State University

  • Chicago State University Page
  • Chicago State University is a public university catering to a student body comprised mostly of Black students. Over 50 degree programs are available across the fields of arts and sciences, business, health sciences, and medicine. Chicago State University stands for quality tertiary education as a driver of equity in society.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Chicago?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Chicago can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Chicago, Illinois charge up to 60,300 USD for bachelor’s and 62,400 USD for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Chicago, Illinois. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.