Roosevelt University is a private university in downtown Chicago, housed partly in the landmark Auditorium Building on Michigan Avenue, with a second campus in Schaumburg. It is best known for business, computer science, performing arts, pharmacy and psychology, with small classes and a long social justice mission. Choose it for a city-centre Chicago degree at lower cost than most private universities in the city.
Chicago, United States
Official website: roosevelt.edu
1945 — one of the first US universities to admit students regardless of race or gender
Higher Learning Commission; Heller College of Business is AACSB-accredited
Auditorium Building on Michigan Avenue, facing Grant Park
Around 4,000 students across Chicago and Schaumburg
$24,000 – $36,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes, before scholarships
$18,000 – $23,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on roosevelt.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA (Heller College of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Accounting
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Biotechnology and Chemical Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
Auditorium Building — a Louis Sullivan landmark that houses classrooms and a historic theatre.
Chicago College of Performing Arts — a conservatory for music, theatre and dance.
Heller College of Business — AACSB-accredited, with the Loop's employers on its doorstep.
Small classes — most taught by faculty, with an average size under 20.
Graduates join Deloitte, Northern Trust, Walgreens, Accenture and Chicago's finance and tech firms.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Accounting graduates move into Big Four and regional firms in Chicago.
Performing arts alumni work in Chicago theatre, orchestras and national touring productions.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
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The Chicago campus is two linked buildings on Michigan Avenue, the Auditorium Building and the 32-storey Wabash Building with student housing, facing Grant Park and a short walk from the Loop's offices.
Chicago is the third-largest US city, with a large finance, consulting and tech job market, lakefront beaches and museums. Rent downtown is high, and many students use the university's tower housing.
Form I-20 issued by Roosevelt
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Roosevelt reviews undergraduate and graduate applications on a rolling basis. International applicants should apply by 1 June 2027 for fall and by 1 November 2026 for spring, to leave time for the I-20 and visa. Some graduate programmes, such as biotechnology, set earlier priority dates.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Computer science, data science, the Heller MBA and accounting master's admit for both fall and spring, while biotechnology and chemical science is fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. The Office of International Programs issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, data science, the Heller MBA, accounting and biotechnology attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 2.75-3.0, TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5; the GRE and GMAT are not required for most programmes. Undergraduate admission is based mainly on grades.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their grades, which can cover a large share of tuition. Graduate applicants may receive partial merit awards, and a limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Check the financial aid pages for current amounts.
