University of Chicago vs. Harvard University Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to University of Chicago or Harvard University?“
University of Chicago
Harvard University
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of Chicago and Harvard University. This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of Chicago and Harvard University
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of Chicago and Harvard University. The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of Chicago | Harvard University | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $51,351 | $45,278 |
| Net Price | $25,883 | $17,882 |
| Average Financial Aid | $36,398 | $48,524 |
| Total Undergraduates | 5869 | 7333 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1440 - 1600 | 1400 - 1600 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8 | 6 |
| Location | 5801 S Ellis Ave | Massachusetts Hall |
| City Name | Chicago | Cambridge |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Harvard University is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Chicago and Cambridge. University of Chicago is in a East North Central and Harvard University is in a New England - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of Chicago or Harvard University Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Harvard University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Harvard University is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of Chicago is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do University of Chicago Dorms Compare to housing Options at Harvard University?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. University of Chicago charges for on-campus living, while Harvard University charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
University of Chicago and Harvard University student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of Chicago, % | Harvard University,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 44.51 | 43.99 |
| Hispanic | 8.49 | 10.23 |
| Black | 5.04 | 6.4399999999999995 |
| Foreign | 10.84 | 11.07 |
| Others | 31.1 | 28.3 |
How different is the University of Chicago campus compared to Harvard University campus?
The University of Chicago campus is located in Chicago, IL and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more). The Harvard University campus is located in Cambridge, MA and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
University of Chicago provides $36,398 whereas Harvard University provides an average of $48,524.
How does University of Chicago academics compare to Harvard University?
When analyzing academics between University of Chicago and Harvard University we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | University of Chicago | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 15 | 16 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 9 | 24 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | N/A |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 64 | 131 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | N/A | 78 |
| Education | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: University of Chicago or Harvard University?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between University of Chicago and Harvard University. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does University of Chicago social life compare to Harvard University?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how University of Chicago social life differs from Harvard University.
Check here.
Check here.