How to Study in Chicago for International Students
Chicago, one of the beautiful cities in United States, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Chicago, Illinois currently has 19 universities, from which 4 universities are a part of the public sector and 15 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Chicago you should definitely check out are University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois Chicago.
Being able to study in Chicago as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Chicago, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Chicago
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Chicago, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 11,400 USD to 61,200 USD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 7,875 USD and 86,900 USD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Chicago
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Chicago, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University | 19,000 USD | 9,645 USD |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 20,200 USD | 15,600 USD |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 25,600 USD | 25,400 USD |
| Northwestern University | 60,300 USD | 44,900 USD - 62,400 USD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Chicago
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adler University | 16,200 USD - 25,500 USD | |
| Chicago School of Professional Psychology | 14,800 USD | 15,300 USD - 23,500 USD |
| National University of Health Sciences | 21,000 USD | 18,900 USD |
| Rush University | 18,400 USD - 21,100 USD | 13,800 USD - 23,200 USD |
| Saint Xavier University | 34,700 USD | 7,875 USD - 15,000 USD |
| Moody Bible Institute | 11,400 USD - 13,500 USD | 8,910 USD |
| North Park University | 33,400 USD | 9,450 USD - 18,600 USD |
| National Louis University | 19,400 USD | 10,300 USD - 11,800 USD |
| Roosevelt University | 33,100 USD - 41,600 USD | 17,200 USD - 42,400 USD |
| Columbia College Chicago | 29,300 USD | 20,600 USD - 23,300 USD |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 53,600 USD | 27,900 USD |
| DePaul University | 42,200 USD - 43,600 USD | 10,300 USD - 18,400 USD |
| Loyola University Chicago | 48,100 USD - 49,200 USD | 14,500 USD - 28,200 USD |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 48,700 USD | 29,700 USD |
| University of Chicago | 61,200 USD | 30,000 USD - 86,900 USD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Chicago, check out the Cheap Universities in Chicago!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Chicago for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Chicago, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Chicago, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Chicago may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Chicago are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Chicago and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Adler University
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL: 92
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL: 61
- Duolingo: 90
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 79
- Duolingo: 105
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
National University of Health Sciences
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Chicago
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Chicago have online applications available on their websites, like University of Chicago and Northwestern University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Chicago.
University of Chicago
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
Northwestern University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of Illinois Chicago
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Chicago differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Chicago.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Chicago
If you’re going to study in Chicago, you will need to apply for a student visa in United States
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United States. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a F-1 visa .
To start your student visa application in Chicago, you will need to present the following:
- Passport
- Completed I-20 form
- Proof of payments for DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System )
- Recently taken photos
- Diploma, if available
- Bank statement
- School transcripts
- Proof of intent to leave after completing your studies
- Proof of official test scores mentioned in the university application
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United States is 185 USD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Complete the online application
- Schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in your home country
- Check the appointment wait times for your visa interview.
- Prepare for your interview and if applicable, pay for the visa application fee.
- Complete the required documents.
- Attend your visa interview and arrange for the return of your passport and visa once your application is approved.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Chicago. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!