University of Chicago
University of Chicago — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Chicago at a Glance
The University of Chicago is a private research university in the Hyde Park community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
1890
136 years old
$10.9B
$10.9 billion (2026)
18,732
7,496 undergrad · 11,195 grad
3,418
217 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Chicago
Official admissions pageJanuary 2
November 1 (Early Action + Early Decision I) / January 6 (Early Decision II)
$75
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is University of Chicago Worth It?
University of Chicago is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $14,860/year net price and $91,885 median earnings, graduates earn 6.2× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 95% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 4%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $15,000 is manageable at just 16% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: University of Chicago delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Chicago compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #2 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| #6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Chicago's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at University of Chicago
The highest-earning program at University of Chicago is Computer Science at $87,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $30,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Chicago earns $87,000, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $30,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $17,492 in median debt vs. $13,750 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,860/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $87,000 | $87,000 | $17,492 |
| Economics | $83,000 | $83,000 | $17,980 |
| Statistics | $72,000 | $72,000 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $70,700 | $70,700 | $17,754 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $51,800 | $51,800 | $17,500 |
| Psychology, General | $39,600 | $39,600 | N/A |
| Philosophy | $39,300 | $39,300 | $23,750 |
| Physics | $38,300 | $38,300 | $19,333 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,700 | $36,700 | $17,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $34,500 | $34,500 | $18,441 |
| History | $32,300 | $32,300 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $18,294 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $13,750 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 7,569 students
- Admission Rate
- 4%
- Graduation Rate
- 95%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,860
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $91,885
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000