Chartered in 1890, the University of Chicago is a private research institution. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 6800 students, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 217 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of Chicago's ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #6. Its tuition and fees are $59,298 (2019-20).

The University of Chicago, situated in Hyde Park, offers a rich campus life in a big city setting. In addition to the college, the university has postgraduate offerings that include the highly ranked Booth School of Business, Law School, Pritzker School of Medicine, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, the School of Social Service Administration, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. The residential housing system is a vital element of the college community where all first- and second-year students live, as well as many upperclassmen. On-campus students are placed in "houses" within their dorm, which serve as tight-knit communities and provide academic and social support.

The University of Chicago is universally recognized for its devotion to open and rigorous inquiry, the strength of our intellectual traditions, intense critical analysis, and free and lively debate. Our engaged scholars continually seek creative solutions to complex problems. Our College graduates have made discoveries in every field of academic study. The University of Chicago is affiliated with 92 Nobel Prize winners, over 275 Guggenheim fellows, 52 MacArthur "Genius" Grant winners, and 25 Pulitzer Prize winners. UChicago is also renowned for the unparalleled resources it provides its undergraduate students. Our 217-acre campus contains six libraries; over 160 research centers and institutes, including our new Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Institute of Politics; as well as world-class theaters, museums, and art centers. Additionally, the University of Chicago is a global leader in scientific advancement and plays a pivotal role as a central hub for innovation in quantum science and engineering.

Rooted in Hyde Park, a neighborhood home to both our campus (certified as a botanical garden) and nearly 60% of the private homes of our faculty, UChicago offers a true campus-based community within the context of a major American city. Our students engage the city of Chicago and its many neighborhoods through groundbreaking research and scholarship, unparalleled internship opportunities, and a commitment to community service. Just as Chicago is a global city, the University of Chicago remains a truly international university: we offer nearly 60 faculty-led study abroad programs, many in conjunction with our centers in Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Paris. UChicago maintains a student-faculty ratio of 5:1, ensuring that every classroom experience exemplifies our commitment to close interactions between students and faculty in small, discussion-style seminars. Focused on careful reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking, UChicago’s famous Core Curriculum is the perfect foundation for any major and all future endeavors. Through Core courses across the academic disciplines, students investigate the human experience and the natural world. With over 50 majors and more than 45 minors, students can double-major, create their own major, or explore interdisciplinary opportunities. Additionally, the Office of Career Advancement helps students translate what they are studying in our classrooms to their future careers. Students also enjoy over 400 student organizations, including Division III sports; a small but active Greek life; over 35 student theatrical productions a year; a rich music scene; and robust opportunities in politics, music, theater, commerce, and neighborhood life in the city of Chicago.