Is University of Illinois Chicago harder to get into than George Washington University?

Yes. George Washington University is generally considered harder to get into than the University of Illinois Chicago. GW is viewed as the more selective school overall, while UIC is typically more accessible for a broader range of applicants, especially for in-state Illinois students.

For a student building a balanced list, UIC is more often treated as a target or possible likely, depending on grades, course rigor, and whether you are applying to a more selective major. GW is more often placed a step higher, often in target-to-reach territory, because it attracts a large national applicant pool and tends to expect a stronger overall academic profile.

The type of applicant who may find UIC realistic is someone with solid grades in a reasonably challenging schedule who wants an urban public university with strong professional and health-related programs. Admissions there can still get more competitive for certain programs, but the university as a whole is not usually seen at the same selectivity level as GW.

GW tends to fit students aiming for a private university in Washington, D.C., especially those interested in politics, international affairs, public policy, or internships tied to the city. Because of that location and applicant interest, it often ends up being tougher to enter, even for strong students.

So if your question is purely which school is harder to get into, the clearer answer is George Washington University. For your own list, UIC would usually be the more realistic option and GW the more selective one, unless your academic profile lines up unusually differently with one school’s priorities or with a specific major.