Chicago is loud. It’s chaotic, beautiful, and expensive. If you’re looking at the University of Illinois at Chicago majors, you’ve probably realized that choosing a path here isn't just about picking a job—it’s about surviving the West Loop and making sense of a massive research institution. UIC isn't a sleepy college town. It’s a gritty, high-energy hub where 34,000 students are trying to figure out if they actually want to be doctors or if they just like the idea of wearing scrubs at Starbucks.
Most people think UIC is just a "pre-med school." That’s a mistake. While the health sciences are massive—seriously, the medical district next door is like its own city—the academic landscape is way weirder and more diverse than the brochure suggests. You have over 100 undergraduate programs to sift through. Some are world-class. Others are hidden gems that most students don't find until their junior year, usually after they realize Organic Chemistry is a nightmare.
The Health Science Obsession (And the Reality)
Let’s be real. A huge chunk of people looking for University of Illinois at Chicago majors are eyeing the College of Nursing or the pre-health tracks. It makes sense. UIC is home to one of the largest medical schools in the country. If you walk through the Quad, you’ll see an absurd number of people carrying heavy biology textbooks.
But here’s the thing: everyone wants to do Kinesiology or Biology. It’s crowded. Honestly, if you’re looking at health but want a different edge, you should look at Integrated Health Studies. It’s this multidisciplinary monster of a major that blends behavioral health, economics, and hard science. It’s for the people who want to understand why the healthcare system is broken, not just how to fix a bone.
The College of Nursing is notoriously competitive. You don't just "get in." You fight for it. Their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. If your GPA isn't hovering near the sun, have a backup plan. Many students pivot to Public Health at the last second, which is actually a smart move given the job market in urban policy right now.
Engineering and the Tech Boom on Halsted
Engineering is the other big player. With the new Computer Science Design Center (the HDR-designed building that looks like it's from the future), the university is betting big on tech.
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The Computer Science program is massive. It’s actually one of the fastest-growing University of Illinois at Chicago majors. But don't sleep on the "CS + X" programs. This is where UIC gets clever. You can major in Computer Science + Linguistics or CS + Design. It’s perfect for the person who likes coding but doesn't want to spend 40 years building spreadsheets for a bank.
Why Data Science is the New King
Data Science is the current "it" major. It’s hosted jointly by the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It’s basically for people who realize that data is the new oil. You’re learning high-level math, but you’re applying it to real-world Chicago problems—like transit patterns or crime statistics. It’s practical. It’s also incredibly hard.
The Business Scene: Beyond the Suit
If you head over to the south side of campus, you hit the College of Business Administration. Most people go for Accounting because Chicago is a massive hub for the "Big Four" firms. Deloitte, EY, PwC—they all recruit here. It’s a pipeline.
But the real secret? Entrepreneurship. UIC’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is actually pretty legendary. They run the "Concept2Venture" competition. Students have literally started real companies while sitting in University Hall.
- Marketing: Great if you want to work for a Chicago agency.
- Finance: Hardcore, high-reward, lots of networking at the Board of Trade.
- Information and Decision Sciences: This is the "smart" business major. It’s basically tech-lite for people who want to manage developers instead of being one.
Architecture and the Arts: The Brutalist Vibe
You can’t talk about University of Illinois at Chicago majors without mentioning the School of Architecture. The campus itself is a brutalist masterpiece (or eyesore, depending on who you ask) designed by Walter Netsch.
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The architecture program is intense. Like, "don't-expect-to-sleep-until-2028" intense. It’s studio-based and heavily focused on the urban environment. You aren't designing suburban houses here; you’re designing high-density skyscrapers and community centers for the South Side.
The School of Art & Art History is equally punchy. They have a Graphic Design program that is surprisingly well-connected to the Chicago design scene. People often overlook the arts at a "science school," but the faculty lists are filled with working artists who exhibit at the MCA and the Art Institute.
Liberal Arts: The "Everything Else" Category
Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) is the biggest college. It’s where the "undecided" people land, but it’s also where the most interesting research happens.
Criminology, Law, and Justice is a powerhouse major. Because UIC is in the heart of Chicago, the research involves real-time data from the CPD and the court systems. You aren't just reading theories; you’re looking at how the "L" tracks affect neighborhood safety.
Then there’s Psychology. It’s one of the most popular University of Illinois at Chicago majors. Honestly, it’s a bit of a default for many, but the research labs are legit. If you can get into a research assistant position in a lab studying developmental psych or neuroscience, you’re golden for grad school.
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The Misconceptions About Choosing a Major at UIC
People think you’re stuck once you pick. You aren't. But switching into Engineering or Nursing after your freshman year is like trying to merge onto I-90 during rush hour—it’s painful and slow.
Another myth: "Liberal Arts majors don't get jobs." In Chicago? Please. The city is full of non-profits, government agencies, and corporate communications offices that thrive on LAS grads. The key is the internship. If you’re a History major and you don't intern at the Newberry Library or a local archive, you’re doing it wrong.
How to Actually Choose
Don't just look at the starting salary. That’s a trap. Look at the "Degree Maps" UIC provides. Every major has a four-year plan. Look at the junior-year classes. If the titles of those classes make you want to cry, don't pick that major.
Also, consider the location. If you’re a Finance major, you’re close to the Loop. If you’re a Theatre major, you’re in a city with one of the best storefront theatre scenes in the world. Use the city as your lab.
Actionable Steps for Prospective Students
- Check the Prerequisites: Some University of Illinois at Chicago majors, especially in the health sciences and engineering, have strict "pre-major" requirements. You aren't technically "in" the major until you pass those weed-out classes.
- Visit the East vs. West Campus: The vibe is totally different. East campus is the undergrad hub. West campus is where the "serious" medical stuff happens. Make sure you like where your classes will actually be.
- Talk to a Peer Advisor: Faculty advisors are great for paperwork, but peer advisors will tell you which professors actually respond to emails and which ones just read off PowerPoints.
- Audit a Class: If you’re torn between two majors, just walk into a lecture hall. Most of the big intro classes have 200+ people. No one will notice if you sit in the back for an hour to see if the material actually clicks.
- Look at the Minor Options: Sometimes, a major in Communication with a minor in Computer Science is more valuable than just a CS degree if you want to work in tech sales or PR.
The reality of UIC is that it’s a "get what you put in" kind of place. It’s not going to hold your hand. Whether you’re looking at Business, Architecture, or the massive list of University of Illinois at Chicago majors in the sciences, you have to be aggressive. The resources are there—the labs, the career fairs, the city connections—but they won't find you. You have to find them.
Start by narrowing down your top three interests and looking at the specific credit requirements for each. If you hate calculus, steer clear of the College of Engineering. If you love the chaos of the city and want a degree that actually means something in the Chicago job market, you’re in the right place.
Go to the UIC undergraduate catalog. Look at the specific course descriptions for "Year 3" of your chosen path. If the 300-level courses sound like something you'd actually read about for fun, you've found your major. Otherwise, keep looking—there are 100+ options for a reason.