University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university famous for its rigorous Core Curriculum, which provides a foundational background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences for all undergraduates. It is a powerhouse in Economics, Law, Sociology, and Physics, with a distinct culture of intense, argumentative inquiry. The target audience is intellectually fearless students who thrive on debate and theoretical depth. Tuition is high, with significant financial aid available.

It scores well for its unique and demanding academic culture, its prolific research output (e.g., over 100 Nobel laureates), the influential 'Chicago School' of thought in multiple disciplines, and its vibrant, self-contained campus in Hyde Park.