Universities in Chicago for MS: Top Programs, Institutions, and Admission Tips
University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University Chicago are some of the best universities in Chicago for MS programs. These universities offer over 100 master’s degree programs in engineering, architecture, medicine, management, health sciences, etc.
Every year thousands of Indian students get admissions to these and many other renowned universities in Chicago. So, if you wish to go to a university in Chicago to study abroad, you have many options to choose from.
Read below to find the best master’s courses and universities in Chicago and finalize your dream institution.
Let’s begin with an overview of pursuing a master’s in Chicago.
Studying a Master’s in Chicago
From biological sciences to economics to engineering to law, you can specialize in any study area at the top universities in Chicago. These universities also rank high in the USA for various specializations. For instance, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Northwestern University #3 for its Business School, #5 for Education School, and #9 for Law School. Similarly, TFE Times ranked the Illinois Institute of Technology #16 for its Master’s in Management program.
Aside from their high-ranking programs, the top universities in Chicago also offer a range of flexible intake options. Whether you prefer studying online or on-campus, or need a full-time or part-time schedule, you’ll find options tailored to your needs.
Next, let’s learn about some of the best Master’s programs offered by universities in Chicago.
Best Master’s programs in Chicago
If hundreds of program options are overwhelming you, here are some top master’s programs in Chicago that you can explore:
| University | Program | Entry Requirements |
| University of Chicago | Master of Business Administration with specializations in Finance, Marketing, and Strategy | Bachelor’s degree, GMAT/GRE, TOEFL/IELTS |
| Columbia College Chicago | Master of Fine Arts with specializations in Theatre and Creative Writing | Portfolio, transcripts, SOP |
| Northwestern University | Master of Science in Management with specializations in Analytics, Marketing, and Strategy | Bachelor’s degree, GMAT/GRE, essays |
| Roosevelt University | Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management | Bachelor’s degree, SOP, English proficiency |
| Loyola University Chicago | Master of Social Work and Policy | Bachelor’s degree, English proficiency, references |
| National Louis University | Master of Science in Human Services | Bachelor’s degree, resume, English proficiency |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Master of Public Health with specializations in Epidemiology and Health Policy | Bachelor’s degree, SOP, TOEFL/IELTS |
| DePaul University | Master of Science in Data Science, Analytics, and Machine Learning | Bachelor’s in STEM, GRE recommended, transcripts |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Master of Science in Management, Organizational Leadership, and HR | Bachelor’s degree, SOP, transcripts |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Master of Science in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity | Bachelor’s in CS, GRE, English proficiency |
Now, let’s explore some of the best master’s programs at the top 5 universities in Chicago:
Top Master’s programs at the University of Chicago
| Programs | Duration | Features |
| MS in Biomedical Sciences | 1 year | It’s a STEM-designated program, and the core concentrations include:
|
| Full-time MBA | 21 months | The program offers 13 different concentrations, including:
|
| MA in Public Policy | 1 year | The curriculum of this full-time program includes nine courses, five of which are core courses and four electives. |
| MS in Applied Data Science | Varies | The university offers this program full-time, part-time, in-person, and online. |
Top Master’s programs at Northwestern University
| Programs | Duration | Features |
| Master of Science in Biotechnology | 15-21 months | Classes for this full-time program begin in September. The class size is usually 30-40 students, and the application deadline for international students is 1 May. |
| Master of Science in Computer Science | 3-4 quarters | To graduate, students are required to complete 12 units. They can choose their focus in systems and networks, programming language, robotics, computer engineering, etc. |
| Executive MBA | Varies | The Kellogg’s Executive MBA is a STEM-designated program. The core courses in the program’s curriculum include:
|
Top Master’s programs at the Illinois Institute of Technology
| Programs | Degrees | Schools/ colleges | Program location |
| Advanced Manufacturing | MS | Armour College of Engineering | On campus |
| Advanced Manufacturing, Automation, and Control Systems Track | M.Eng | Armour College of Engineering | On campus |
| Analytical Chemistry | MS | Lewis College of Science and Letters | Online |
| Applied Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics | MS | College of Computing | On campus |
| Applied Mathematics | MAS | College of Computing | On-campus and online |
| Architectural Engineering | MS | Armour College of Engineering | On campus |
| Artificial Intelligence | MAS | College of Computing | On-campus and Online |
| Autonomous Systems and Robotics | MS | Armour College of Engineering | On campus |
| Biology for the Health Professions | MS | Lewis College of Science and Letters | On campus |
Top Master’s programs at Loyola University – Chicago
| Programs | Availability | Start term | Delivery format |
| Applied Statistics MS | Part-time or full-time | Fall, Spring, Summer | On-campus |
| Computer Science: Software Engineering MS | Part-time or full-time | Fall, Spring | Hybrid, on-campus, or online |
| Computer Science: Information Technology MS | Part-time or full-time | Fall, Spring | Hybrid, on-campus, or online |
| Data Science MS | Part-time or full-time | Fall, Spring, Summer | On-campus |
| Psychology: Applied Social Psychology MA | Part-time or full-time | Fall | On-campus |
| Community Counseling MA | Part-time or full-time | Fall | On-campus |
| Medical Sciences MA | Full-time | Fall | On-campus |
| MA in International Affairs | Part-time or full-time | Fall, Spring, Summer | On-campus |
| Criminal Justice and Criminology MA | Part-time or full-time | Fall and Spring | On-campus |
Top Master’s programs at the University of Illinois Chicago
The University of Illinois Chicago offers more than 100 master’s degree programs. Some of them are mentioned below:
| Programs | Degrees | Colleges/ schools/ source for program information |
| Accounting | MS | Business Administration |
| Anthropology | MA | Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Applied Behavior Analysis, Disability, and Diversity in Urban Society | MS | Education |
| Applied Economics | MA | Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Architecture | MArch and MS | Architecture, Design, and the Arts |
| Art | MFA | Architecture, Design, and the Arts |
| Art History | MA | Architecture, Design, and the Arts |
| Bioinformatics | MS | Engineering |
| Biological Sciences | MS | Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Biomedical Engineering | MS | Engineering |
| Business Administration (Professional Program) | MBA | Business Administration |
| Business Analytics | MS | Business Administration |
Next, let’s find out the top 10 universities in Chicago as per their U.S. News Ranking.
Top 10 universities for master’s in Chicago
Here’s a list of top 10 universities for master’s in Chicago:
| University | QS Ranking 2025 | U.S. News Ranking (top national universities) | Top Master’s Programs |
| University of Chicago | 21 | 11 | MBA, Economics, Computer Science |
| Northwestern University | 50 | 6 | Management, Engineering, Journalism |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 601-610 | 105 | Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, IT |
| Loyola University Chicago | 1001-1200 | 132 | Healthcare Administration, Law, Social Work |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 365 | 80 | Nursing, Public Health, Engineering |
| DePaul University | Not ranked | 165 | Data Science, Public Policy, Business |
| Roosevelt University | Not ranked | 392-434 | Business Analytics, Psychology, Sustainability |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Not ranked | Not ranked | Education, Business Management, Linguistics |
| Columbia College Chicago | Not ranked | Not ranked | Fine Arts, Media Studies, Creative Writing |
| National Louis University | Not ranked | 392-434 | Education, Counseling, Leadership Studies |
Now, let’s learn more about the top five universities in Chicago for master’s programs:
#1 top university in Chicago for master’s – University of Chicago
The U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Chicago #11 among the top universities in the USA. With about 10,870 graduate students and 101 affiliated Nobel laureates, the university offers master’s programs under the following 12 departments/ schools:
- Social Sciences Division
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
- Pritzker School of Medicine Program
- Physical Sciences Division
- Law School
- Humanities Division
- Harris School of Public Policy
- Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
- Divinity School
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
- Chicago Booth School of Business
- Biological Sciences Division
#2 top university in Chicago for master’s – Northwestern University
Northwestern University, ranked #6 by the U.S. News Ranking among national universities, has an acceptance rate of 7.5%. The university is home to over 14,000 graduate students and 8,000 undergraduate students. With a 6:1 faculty-student ratio, the university has campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Doha (Qatar).
Apart from its overall ranking, the university’s various departments rank high nationally. Here are the U.S. News & World Report rankings for the departments:
- #3 for its Business School
- #5 for Education School
- #9 for Law School
- #16 for Engineering School
- #4 for Speech-Language Pathology
- #6 for Chemistry
- #8 for Economics
- Tier 1 for Medical School
#3 top university in Chicago for master’s – Illinois Institute of Technology
Founded in 1890, the Illinois Institute of Technology ranks high in various categories, including the following:
- #105 among national universities by the USN
- #68 in the “Highest Campus Ethnic Diversity” category among the top 68 universities in the USA
- #1 in the “Best Salaries of Graduates in Illinois” category by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025
- #16 in the “Best Master’s of Management Programs” category among all USA universities by TFE Times
In 2023-24, the institute awarded 1,492 master’s degrees. In Fall 2024 alone, over 4,160 students enrolled in master’s degree programs offered by the following colleges:
- Stuart School of Business
- Armour College of Engineering
- Lewis College of Science and Letters
- College of Architecture
- College of Computing
- Institute of Design
- Chicago-Kent College of Law
#4 top university in Chicago for master’s – Loyola University, Chicago
Loyola University—Chicago offers its master’s programs under The Graduate School. In 2023, over 17,397 students enrolled at the university, of which 4,910 were graduate students.
Loyola University – Chicago has more than 600 full-time faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. The university offers over 140 graduate degrees, certificates, and professional programs at the following colleges/ schools:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Communication
- School of Law
- The Graduate School
- Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
- Stritch School of Medicine
- School of Continuing and Professional Studies
- Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
- School of Environmental Sustainability
- School of Social Work
- Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago
- Institute of Pastoral Studies
- Quinlan School of Business
- Institute for Racial Justice
#5 top university in Chicago for master’s – University of Illinois Chicago
The University of Illinois Chicago, commonly known as UIC, is the largest university in the city. As the only public Carnegie Research 1 institution in the city, it houses over 33,500 students under 16 academic colleges, namely:
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- College of Business Administration
- College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
- College of Dentistry
- College of Engineering
- College of Education
- Graduate College
- School of Law
- Honors College
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy
- Jane Addams College of Social Work
- School of Public Health
- College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
An important question
Can you rely solely on rankings when shortlisting universities in Chicago? Rankings are a good starting point, but they don’t capture everything that matters for your goals. A much better approach is to compare universities based on factors like:
- Return on Investment (ROI): Which universities have strong placement records and high alumni salaries?
- Programs and Specializations: Do they offer courses aligned with your career aspirations?
- Placements and Alumni Network: Do these universities have a robust placement program and a strong alumni network to support your career growth?
How GradRight helps you make a smarter choice
GradRight’s university-search platform uses 8 million data points from over 40,000 programs and 4,000 universities worldwide to provide personalized university recommendations. Here’s what makes it unique:
- Tailored Shortlists: Get university recommendations that align with your academic profile, career goals, and budget.
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With GradRight, you’ll make a well-informed choice that’s truly the best fit for you.
Career opportunities in Chicago
Chicago’s socio-economic environment makes it a powerhouse of career opportunities for international students. It has the third-largest economy in the USA and a GDP of $832.9 billion in 2022.
The city is home to various Fortune 500 companies, including Conagra Brand, McDonald’s, Archer Daniels Midland, Motorola, Boeing, and Abbott Laboratories. This tech hub employs over 140,000 professionals in the information and technology sector and offers median salaries of over $100,000 annually. Other key industries in the city are manufacturing, healthcare, finance, global trade, etc.
Of course, apart from the job prospects, the allure of a rewarding student life compels students to apply for universities in Chicago.
Life in Chicago for international students
As an international student, you can find different reasons for studying abroad. You could seek a better education, global exposure, or career prospects. What’s great about the universities in Chicago for MS programs is that they offer it all.
Chicago offers many opportunities, from cultural diversity to suitable housing options, affordable transportation, and globally-ranked universities. This makes the city one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in the USA. Institutions like the University of Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology are among the top 15 universities in the USA with the highest number of international students. The city is home to more than 20,000 students coming from over 50 different countries.
Note: Studying in Chicago for a master’s is an incredible opportunity, but it doesn’t come cheap. Most students spend anywhere between $50,000 and $80,000 for a typical program, and that’s a significant investment. However, it’s essential to view this not just as an expense, but as an investment in your future, one that can pay off through better career prospects and higher salaries.
To make this investment more manageable, GradRight’s loan-search platform is here to help. GradRight’s loan-search platform connects you with 15+ trusted banks and NBFCs through a seamless, competitive process. Here’s how it works:
- Upload your academic and financial details once on the platform.
- Get bids from lenders offering the lowest interest rates tailored to your profile.
- Compare these offers side by side to choose the best terms.
- Enjoy a 100% paperless and hassle-free loan process.
- Take your loan disbursement in as little as 10 days.
With GradRight’s loan-search platform, you not only save time but could potentially save lakhs of rupees in interest, making your study abroad journey in Chicago much more affordable.
Next, let’s answer some of the commonly asked questions about pursuing a master’s at a renowned university in Chicago.
FAQs
1. Does the University of Chicago offer master’s degrees?
The top universities in Chicago for MS programs offer more than 100 programs in fields such as law, healthcare, public policy, engineering, data science, marketing, management, and business.
2. What GPA do you need for a Master’s at Chicago State University?
To pursue a master’s at Chicago State University, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. However, program-specific GPAs may vary, so we advise you to check your program’s detail page for precise information.
3. How many universities are there in Chicago?
There are more than 20 colleges and universities in Chicago, some of which rank among the top 500 institutions in the world. Those universities include the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Northwestern University.
4. Is IELTS required for the University of Chicago?
As an international student, you must provide your English test scores at the University of Chicago. The university accepts IELTS and TOEFL; the minimum score requirement may vary for different programs. However, a score of 7.0 is generally considered good.
5. What is the acceptance rate of Chicago University?
The University of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 5%. This makes it fairly difficult for students to get into the university.
