The University

The largest University in the Chicago area, UIC has more than 34,000 students, 16 colleges—including the nation’s largest and most diverse medical school—and annual research expenditures exceeding $400 million dollars. UIC operates the state’s major public medical complex and serves as the principal educator of Illinois’ physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals. UIC is a culturally rich institution, ranking among the top 50 Ethnically Diverse and Economically Diverse Universities in the U.S. in a recent US News and World Report analysis. UIC is a six-time recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing UIC’s outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A truly global institution, more than a third of UIC students speak English as a second language, and over 50 languages are spoken on campus. There are seven Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change, and over 375 cultural, religious, social and academic student organizations at the University. UIC has also been recognized as Illinois’ best college and university for LGBTQIA students.  The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) “promotes deeply engaged and life affirming thinking, learning, and action with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Through programs, initiatives, events, and workshops, the GSC creates a more inclusive campus and catalyzes positive social change in the world.”

UIC is proud to be recognized as having one of the most ethnically and culturally rich college campuses in America, and a leader among urban public higher education institutions providing access to underrepresented students. UIC’s welcoming environment and diverse student body engender deeper learning and provide new perspectives on life. At UIC, our students experience the strength of multiple voices, cultures, identities, orientations, and points of view.

As a Research I Institution, UIC is placed among the top research-funded institutions in the world, leading scholarship in:

  • Alternative, complementary and traditional medicine
  • Biotechnology and biodefense
  • Cancer biology and therapeutics
  • Drug discovery, development and delivery
  • Genomics and pharmacogenomics
  • Infectious diseases
  • Natural products
  • Neuroscience
  • Patient safety