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A fast-paced, high-rise economic hub, Chicago is also a city that famously knows how to let its hair down. Nicknamed 'The Windy City', Chicago saw an explosion of blues and jazz music during the 20th century which earned it a reputation as the northern US's answer to New Orleans.
Chicago is also home to two of the nation's – and the world’s – most prestigious universities, the University of Chicago (ranked 10th in the world), and Northwestern University (32nd), plus one more university within the global top 400.
For many students, the exceptional academic facilities on offer, alongside the many social and cultural opportunities offered by this bustling metropolis, make studying in Chicago well worth the investment. In our student survey, one respondent praised “The variety of cultures and activities present throughout all its neighbourhoods.”
Best ranked universities in Chicago - QS Best Student Cities ranking: =40th
In the QS Best Student Cities ranking Chicago scores strongly across several indicators, including employer activity, reflecting the robust reputation of its institutions among graduate employers. As with other US cities, the weak point is affordability, due to the high tuition fees charged by leading private institutions such as the University of Chicago.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Chicago?
Great public transport
Chicago has some of the best public transport in the US, which is great news for students who don't have a car. The city has great bus and rail links, plus a bike sharing system, as well as pedestrian walkways ('pedways') which make walking around the city even easier.
Music scene
Chicago is synonymous with many important music scenes, such as jazz, blues, gospel, and soul. It's also often cited as the city where house music was born, as well as being important in the world of hip-hop (and is the birthplace of rapper Kanye West).
Sports teams
A number of important American sports teams are based in Chicago, including two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. It's also home to the former team of basketball legend Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls.
Cost of studying in Chicago
Chicago's lowest score in the ranking is for affordability, which is common for US cities as the average tuition fees are among the highest in the world. The overall cost of living in Chicago is also a bit larger than the US as a whole. According to Numbeo, a single person living in Chicago can expect to spend around US$1,025, excluding rent. However, there are many scholarships available to both domestic and international students hoping to study in the city.
Life & culture in Chicago
Chicago is the third most populous city in the US, so students here can experience all the benefits of big-city living. It's a cultural melting-pot with a diverse population, and in the past was the destination of a huge number of immigrants from countries like Ireland, Italy, Greece, and many more. Suffice to say, this cultural diversity also means that the city is home to some fantastic food!
Chicago scores extremely well in the employer activity rank, only dropping by one place this year, indicating that Chicago’s graduates are highly sought after by employers. Chicago is a major financial centre, with the second-largest central business district in the United States. Popular graduate employers include Boeing, JP Morgan Chase and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Julia is the Assistant Editor for TopUniversities, publishing articles for students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
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Study in Chicago
Julia Gilmore
Updated Jun 30, 2022Save
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Chicago for students
A fast-paced, high-rise economic hub, Chicago is also a city that famously knows how to let its hair down. Nicknamed 'The Windy City', Chicago saw an explosion of blues and jazz music during the 20th century which earned it a reputation as the northern US's answer to New Orleans.
Chicago is also home to two of the nation's – and the world’s – most prestigious universities, the University of Chicago (ranked 10th in the world), and Northwestern University (32nd), plus one more university within the global top 400.
For many students, the exceptional academic facilities on offer, alongside the many social and cultural opportunities offered by this bustling metropolis, make studying in Chicago well worth the investment. In our student survey, one respondent praised “The variety of cultures and activities present throughout all its neighbourhoods.”
Best ranked universities in Chicago - QS Best Student Cities ranking: =40th
More about Chicago
In the QS Best Student Cities ranking Chicago scores strongly across several indicators, including employer activity, reflecting the robust reputation of its institutions among graduate employers. As with other US cities, the weak point is affordability, due to the high tuition fees charged by leading private institutions such as the University of Chicago.
Number of universities ranked by QS
5
Highest-ranked institution
University of Chicago (10th)
Population
2,694,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$42,800
Desirability rank
41st
Employer Activity rank
26th
Affordability rank
134th
Student View rank
60th
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Chicago?
Great public transport
Chicago has some of the best public transport in the US, which is great news for students who don't have a car. The city has great bus and rail links, plus a bike sharing system, as well as pedestrian walkways ('pedways') which make walking around the city even easier.
Music scene
Chicago is synonymous with many important music scenes, such as jazz, blues, gospel, and soul. It's also often cited as the city where house music was born, as well as being important in the world of hip-hop (and is the birthplace of rapper Kanye West).
Sports teams
A number of important American sports teams are based in Chicago, including two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. It's also home to the former team of basketball legend Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls.
Cost of studying in Chicago
Chicago's lowest score in the ranking is for affordability, which is common for US cities as the average tuition fees are among the highest in the world. The overall cost of living in Chicago is also a bit larger than the US as a whole. According to Numbeo, a single person living in Chicago can expect to spend around US$1,025, excluding rent. However, there are many scholarships available to both domestic and international students hoping to study in the city.
Life & culture in Chicago
Chicago is the third most populous city in the US, so students here can experience all the benefits of big-city living. It's a cultural melting-pot with a diverse population, and in the past was the destination of a huge number of immigrants from countries like Ireland, Italy, Greece, and many more. Suffice to say, this cultural diversity also means that the city is home to some fantastic food!
Testimonials
Careers in Chicago
Chicago scores extremely well in the employer activity rank, only dropping by one place this year, indicating that Chicago’s graduates are highly sought after by employers. Chicago is a major financial centre, with the second-largest central business district in the United States. Popular graduate employers include Boeing, JP Morgan Chase and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
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Julia is the Assistant Editor for TopUniversities, publishing articles for students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
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