Best universities in Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois. Chicago gained its title “the city of neighbourhoods” to describe its diverse ethnic and cultural social fabric, which make it a vibrant and exciting place.

Chicago has been a pioneer in the United States, from having the first skyscraper in 1884, to reversing the flow of the Chicago River in 1900 and being the start of the historic Route 66.

Students might find that they don’t need to leave the city to find employment as Chicago is home to the headquarters of Google, Boeing and Grubhub, among many others. 

Chicago has many interesting sites, bars and restaurants to visit, as well as several music and cultural events throughout the year. The city’s waterside position offers space to relax, go for a jog or walk with friends.

Students will have the opportunity to sample the city’s signature cuisine, such as deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian food. Throughout the summer, Chicago holds several festivals for students to enjoy, from Lollapalooza to Dillo Day.

There is a large selection of higher education institutions in Chicago, including the top four universities: The University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Technology and Loyola University Chicago.

1. The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago was founded in 1890. It has led global research, from discovering the link between cancer and genetics to revolutionary economic theories. The university has three national and affiliated laboratories: Argonnne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Its library is the 10th largest research library in North America, with more than 11 million volumes. The university has 14 academic programmes, from biological sciences to medicine, business and humanities.

The University of Chicago has an abundance of notable alumni including 92 Nobel prizewinners, free market economist Milton Friedman, politician Bernie Sanders, and Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper.

The university prides itself on its global participation, with initiatives and partnerships in more than 48 nations around the world.

Students can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. The university is highly regarded for its sporting achievements, including the NCAA National Championships and Heisman Trophy for college football.

The Center for Leadership and Involvement allows students to get involved with their local and campus community through arts, music, sport and cultural events.

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2. University of Illinois at Chicago

The University of Illinois at Chicago is a public research university in Chicago’s West Side. It is the largest of Chicago’s universities.

The university was chartered in 1867, and in 1935 an undergraduate campus was formed. In 1982 the University of Illinois Chicago Circle and the University of Illinois at the Medical Center merged to form what is known today as the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Notable alumni include Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman elected to the US Senate; Ertharin Cousin, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme; and baseball player Curtis Granderson.

The campus offers a wealth of sports and leisure activities, with facilities including a climbing wall and Olympic pool.

For those wanting to gain political experience, there is a Graduate Student Government and Model UN. For the fiscally minded there is the Finance and Investment Group or the Accounting Club.

The university also hosts a range of events, from the UIC Fashion Show and the Organisation Olympics to Relay for Life and Black History Month.

To welcome students in the autumn, there is a music festival called Spark in the Park, which has previously featured musicians including Travis Scott, Nick Jonas and Childish Gambino.

Campus media include 234 Magazine, the university’s arts and culture publication run by students; UIC Radio; and UIC ONEWORLD, a journal focusing on social justice issues in Chicago and the rest of the world.

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3. The Illinois Institute of Technology

The Illinois Institute of Technology is Chicago’s only technological university, fuelling breakthroughs in research and innovation that impact the region and the world.

The institute prides itself on a learning by­ doing approach and has done so since its beginnings when Chicago minister Frank Wakeley Gunsaulus delivered the “Million Dollar Sermon”. In his sermon, near the Institute’s current site, Gunsaulus proclaimed that with a million dollars, he could build a school where students learn in practical rather than theoretical terms.

The Illinois Institute offers bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, certificate, and non-­degree programmes. There are 11 colleges and institutes, at which students can develop the skills relevant to their industry. These include engineering, architecture, law, design, and technology entrepreneurship.

The institute also offers students the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree. Destinations include Japan, France, Ireland and Spain.

Notable alumni include Martin Cooper, inventor of the first handheld mobile phone, as well as Rohit Prasad, vice-president and head scientist at Alexa Artificial Intelligence.

4. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University is Chicago’s Jesuit Catholic University, focusing on an education that fosters knowledge, curiosity and global perspectives. It was founded in 1870 as St Ignatius College, and offers a wide range of courses across its 13 schools and colleges. These are: arts and sciences; business; communication; continuing and professional studies; education; environmental sustainability; health sciences and public health; graduate studies; law; medicine; nursing; social work and Arrupe College, a two-year degree programme.  

There are three main campuses: Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences, as well as the Retreat and Ecology Center and events venue Cuneo Mansion and Gardens. The university’s study abroad department also has centres in Rome and Vietnam.

Notable alumni include comedian Bob Newhart, former McDonald’s Corporation chairman and chief executive, Michael R. Quinlan, as well as Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, William M. Daley. 

Loyola University has more than 200 student organisations and sports clubs. The university also offers various spiritual programmes and encourages its students to explore the religious diversity of other faiths. The Loyola community is something that both staff and students cherish, encouraged by events such as Finals Breakfast and the Student Organisation Awards.

Best universities in Chicago 2021

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