The University of Illinois Chicago is the largest university in the Chicago area and a major public research university. It is best known for medicine, pharmacy, engineering and computer science, with the largest medical school in the US. Choose it for a research-heavy degree in a big city at public-university prices.
Chicago, United States
Official website: uic.edu
#365
Largest medical school in the US
Over USD 400 million a year
Among the most diverse campuses in the US
$26,000 – $34,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$16,000 – $22,000
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 uic.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Management Information Systems
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Largest medical school in the US, with campuses in Chicago, Peoria and Rockford.
Chicago location — the campus sits just west of the Loop, on two CTA train lines.
College of Engineering — a large, fast-growing school with strong computer science.
One of the most diverse campuses in the US, with no ethnic majority.
Graduates join Motorola, Abbott, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Google's Chicago office and the city's hospitals.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Business analytics and MIS graduates move into Chicago's consulting, finance and healthcare-data roles.
Pharmacy and public health graduates enter Chicago's hospital systems and the Cook County health department.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus straddles the Eisenhower Expressway on Chicago's Near West Side, with the east campus for arts and sciences and the west campus for medicine and pharmacy, both on CTA lines.
Chicago is the third-largest US city, with a big job market, lakefront parks and rent below New York or Boston. Winters are cold and windy; the campus is minutes from the Loop.
Form I-20 issued by UIC
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
Undergraduate admission is rolling, with a 1 November 2026 priority date for fall 2027 that gives the best chance at merit awards and housing; applications stay open into spring. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most engineering and computer science master's closing between January and March.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Most computer science, engineering and business master's programmes also admit for spring, while public health is fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. The Office of International Services 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, electrical and computer engineering, business analytics, management information systems and public health attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, and the GRE for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is based mainly on grades.
UIC offers limited merit scholarships to international undergraduates, considered automatically if you apply by the priority date; need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships, which waive tuition and pay a stipend in many engineering and science departments.
