Rush University is a private health-sciences university in Chicago, Illinois, ranked #401 in the THE World University Rankings 2026 and among the strongest US medical-sciences institutions. Founded in 1972 as the academic arm of Rush University Medical Center, the campus sits inside the Illinois Medical District, one of the largest urban medical centres in the United States.
Rush University offers more than 40 degree and certificate programs across the Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Division of Translational Science. All degrees are English-medium and clinical placements happen inside the Rush University Medical Center hospital system. Indian applicants primarily enter through Fall intake MS programs in Biotechnology, Clinical Research, Health Systems Management, Speech-Language Pathology and Cardiovascular Perfusion, with select bachelor completion tracks in Health Sciences.
- THE World Rank: #401 (THE World University Rankings 2026)
- Acceptance Rate: 37% (estimated)
- Primary Intake: Fall (September); select programs offer Summer starts
- Average PG Tuition: USD 25,000 to USD 45,000 per year (INR 23.6 lakh to INR 42.5 lakh)
- International Students: Enrolled from 18 countries
Also Check: MS Universities in USA
Rush is not need-blind for international applicants and does not release federal aid to non-US citizens, but department merit awards, private US-cosigner loans and OPT-eligible STEM designations for Biotechnology and Clinical Research help fund the total cost. Applicants should budget for the study in USA F-1 visa financial proof plus 12 months of Chicago living costs before Fall 2027 arrival.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.45 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Rush University opened its Division of Translational Science Fall 2027 applications on 7 September 2026, with a priority deadline of 2 May 2027, an international applicant deadline of 1 July 2027 and a final deadline of 1 August 2027. MS Clinical Research closes earlier on 15 May 2027; MS Biotechnology closes 30 July 2027. Indian applicants should target the priority window to secure I-20 processing time before the September 2027 orientation.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Rush University 2027
- Rush University Admission 2027
- Rush University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Rush University Acceptance Rate 2027
- Rush University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Rush University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Rush University Scholarships 2027
- Rush University Rankings 2027
- Rush University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Rush University vs Peer Universities
- Rush University FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Rush University 2027
Rush University fees for Indian students are quoted per credit hour or per term and billed each semester, not annually. Most Master of Science programs run 1 to 2 years at 45 to 60 credit hours; total tuition scales with programme length, so a 1-year MS Biotechnology costs a fraction of a 2-year MS Speech-Language Pathology.
Top 10 Rush University Fees for PG Programmes 2027
The table below lists the ten most-applied Master of Science programmes for Indian students. All figures are annual tuition confirmed on the Rush Student Business Office 2026-2027 fee schedule.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Clinical Research | 86,760 (2 years) | 81.9 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Nursing | 80,640 (2 years) | 76.1 lakh | Bachelor’s in Nursing with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Clinical Nurse Leader | 80,640 (2 years) | 76.1 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Speech-Language Pathology | 74,340 (2 years) | 70.2 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Cardiovascular Perfusion | 63,660 (2 years) | 60.1 lakh | Bachelor’s in life sciences with 60% (recommended) |
| MS Clinical Nutrition | 60,960 (2 years) | 57.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Clinical Laboratory Management | 29,730 (1 year) | 28.1 lakh | Bachelor’s in life sciences with 55% (recommended) |
| MS Medical Laboratory Science | 51,180 (2 years) | 48.3 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Biotechnology | 19,983 (1 year) | 18.9 lakh | Bachelor’s in life sciences with 55% (recommended) |
| MS Occupational Therapy | 30,958 (2 years) | 29.2 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
[Source: Rush University Student Business Office, Collegedunia Study Abroad]
Top 5 Rush University Fees for UG Programmes 2027
Undergraduate options at Rush are bachelor-completion tracks in health sciences requiring 60 prior transferable credit hours, which usually maps to a completed diploma or two years of an Indian bachelor’s degree. Annual fees are billed per credit hour.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Imaging Sciences | 53,640 (2 years) | 50.7 lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Vascular Ultrasound | 50,820 (2 years) | 48 lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Health Sciences | 47,700 (2 years) | 45.1 lakh | Class 12 with 65% (recommended) |
[Source: Rush University Student Business Office, Collegedunia Study Abroad]
Insider note: Most Indian applicants apply for MS Biotechnology or MS Clinical Research; both carry a STEM designation extending OPT to 36 months post-degree, which materially changes ROI compared to the shorter allied-health tracks.
Rush University Admission 2027
Rush University admission for Indian students opens in September of the preceding year, with priority review windows closing 3 to 4 months before the September start.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open (Fall 2027) | 7 September 2026 | Portal opens for Division of Translational Science |
| MS Clinical Research deadline | 15 May 2027 | Earliest Rush PG deadline; apply first |
| Priority deadline (most MS programs) | 2 May 2027 | Strongest scholarship consideration window |
| International applicant deadline | 1 July 2027 | Required cutoff for F-1 visa timeline |
| MS Biotechnology final deadline | 30 July 2027 | Course-by-course WES/ECE report must arrive by this date |
| Programme start | September 2027 | Fall term begins with mandatory orientation |
[Source: Rush University Division of Translational Science]
Planning note: Rush requires WES or ECE course-by-course evaluations before an application review begins; Indian transcripts take 4 to 6 weeks to evaluate, so request them by January 2027 for the 2 May priority deadline.
Read More: Rush University Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Rush University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Rush University admission requirements for Indian students combine academic transcripts, an English-language test and a credential evaluation from WES or ECE.
- Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% to 60% or CGPA 5.5 to 6.0 on 10 (recommended threshold); transcripts converted to a 4.0 GPA scale via WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 18 (1-6 scale, effective January 2026) / 88 (0-120 legacy scale), with 4.5 minimum on each subtest on the new scale or 18 minimum per subtest on legacy
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall 6.5
- Credential evaluation: Only WES or ECE reports accepted; official course-by-course report mandatory
- Additional documents: Three professional recommendations, statement of purpose, updated CV, USD 50 application fee and departmental interview for shortlisted candidates
Key insight: The English test waiver applies only if the applicant completed a full degree in an English-medium country; Indian medium-of-instruction certificates do not waive TOEFL or IELTS at Rush University for Indian students.
Rush University Acceptance Rate 2027
The Rush University acceptance rate is 37% (estimated) across all colleges, based on a blend of published third-party enrolment data; the university does not release official all-programme figures. Selectivity varies sharply by college and programme.
Rush Medical College remains highly selective at under 5% for MD applicants, though Indian applicants cannot apply since Rush’s MD requires US citizenship or permanent residency. Allied-health and Division of Translational Science MS programmes sit closer to the 40% to 55% band, with Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences most accessible.
Reality check: The single most decisive factor for Indian applicants at Rush University is the WES-converted GPA, not GRE scores; Rush’s Division of Translational Science, for example, does not require GRE for 2027 entry.
Read More: Rush University Acceptance Rate
Rush University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual cost for an Indian PG student at Rush University ranges from USD 60,000 to USD 90,000 (INR 56.7 lakh to INR 85 lakh), depending on programme length and living choices.
Rush University Fees for Indian Students 2027
Rush charges by credit hour or per term; 2026-2027 tuition rates apply from Summer 2026 through Summer 2027 and are revised annually.
| Level | Annual Range (USD) | Annual Range (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (health sciences completion tracks) | 23,850 to 26,820 | 22.5 to 25.3 lakh |
| Master’s (allied health, biotechnology) | 19,983 to 43,380 | 18.9 to 41 lakh |
| Doctoral (PhD, DNP, OTD) | 44,772 to 63,776 | 42.3 to 60.2 lakh |
[Source: Rush University Student Business Office]
Monthly Cost of Living in Chicago for Indian Students
The figures below are Rush University’s own 2025-2026 cost-of-attendance estimate for graduate students at the College of Nursing and College of Health Sciences.
| Category | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent and utilities | 1,920 | INR 1.81 lakh |
| Transportation | 541 | INR 51,097 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | 687 | INR 64,887 |
| Loan fees and health insurance | 128 | INR 12,090 |
| Total monthly | 3,276 | INR 3.09 lakh |
| Total annual | 39,312 | INR 37.1 lakh |
[Source: Rush University official cost estimate 2025-2026]
Insider note: Rush’s Illinois Medical District campus is served by CTA Blue Line and Pink Line; students living in shared apartments in the West Loop or Little Italy typically pay USD 900 to USD 1,400 per bed rather than the university’s single-occupancy estimate.
Read More: Cost of Living for Indian Students at Rush University
Rush University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
Rush University’s single-site campus sits inside the Illinois Medical District on Chicago’s Near West Side, one of the largest urban medical clusters in the United States and a 15-minute Blue Line ride from downtown Loop.
- Location and transit: Illinois Medical District campus with CTA Blue Line Medical Center station on-site; downtown Chicago 15 minutes away
- Housing: No guaranteed on-campus housing for graduate students; most live in West Loop, Pilsen or Little Italy at USD 900 to USD 1,600 per bed
- Clinical facilities: Rush University Medical Center hospital, Rush Copley Medical Center and dozens of Chicago-area clinical rotation sites
- Indian community: Rush Indian Students Association hosts Diwali, Holi and orientation mentoring; Devon Avenue Indian district is 30 minutes north by transit
What Indian students say: The clinical exposure inside Rush University Medical Center is the reason to pick Rush over a bigger-name Chicago university; classes are small and faculty know each student by name.
Rush University Scholarships 2027
Rush University scholarships for Indian students are limited compared to larger US public universities because most federal and state aid restricts to US citizens; five named institutional awards are open to international applicants through the College of Health Sciences.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Health Sciences Endowment | Need and merit | Verify at official page | Allied-health MS or OTD applicants | 2 May 2027 |
| Ellis-Jones Scholarship | Merit | Verify at official page | Allied-health students demonstrating leadership | 2 May 2027 |
| Fry Foundation Scholarship | Need | Verify at official page | Allied-health MS applicants with financial need | 2 May 2027 |
| Leadership Scholarship | Merit | Verify at official page | Open to all applicants including internationals | 2 May 2027 |
| Golf Outing Scholarship | Merit | Verify at official page | Allied-health students in good academic standing | 2 May 2027 |
[Source: Rush University College of Health Sciences Financial Aid Office]
Planning note: Institutional awards close alongside the 2 May 2027 priority admission deadline; late applications remain admissible but forfeit scholarship consideration, so Indian candidates should target April 2027 submission.
Read More: Rush University Scholarships Guide
Rush University Rankings 2027
Rush University’s strongest showing is in health-sciences subject tables, particularly Nursing where it sits inside the QS Top 225 globally and among the top 20 US universities.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World (Nursing subject) | 2027: #151-175 | 2026: #151-225 | 2025: #151-225 |
| THE World | 2026: #401-500 | 2025: #501-600 | 2024: #501-600 |
| US News Best Global | 2026-2027: #535 | 2025-2026: Not ranked in top 500 | 2024-2025: Not ranked in top 500 |
| ARWU Shanghai | 2026: #601-700 | 2025: #601-700 | 2024: #601-700 |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad | #167 of 357 in USA | NA | NA |
[Source: QS, THE, US News, ARWU, Collegedunia Study Abroad]
Collegedunia Study Abroad additionally ranks Rush University #62 of 127 in USA for Medicine and #62 of 127 in USA for Health Care 2026, reinforcing its clinical-track reputation.
Key insight: Rush University’s US News global rank of #535 places it above the F-1 STEM OPT eligibility threshold that Indian employers care about; recruiters recognise the Rush name for clinical roles, not general-purpose consulting.
Read More: Rush University Rankings Analysis
Rush University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Rush University’s placement strength is concentrated in Chicago-area hospital systems and biotechnology firms, with Rush University Medical Center itself hiring a share of its own graduates.
- Employment within 6 months: Officially disclosed only for select allied-health MS programmes; not published university-wide
- Median starting salary (MS Biotechnology and Clinical Research): USD 68,000 to USD 92,000 (INR 64.2 lakh to INR 86.9 lakh, market median for Chicago biotech)
- Median starting salary (MS Nursing, DNP): USD 85,000 to USD 105,000 (INR 80.3 lakh to INR 99.2 lakh, US Bureau of Labor Statistics median for advanced practice nurses)
- Top employers (labeled sectors): Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, AbbVie, Baxter International, Abbott Laboratories
- Career services: Rush Career Services runs on-campus recruiting, resume clinics and F-1 OPT workshops for the STEM-designated Biotechnology and Clinical Research MS tracks
Insider note: Indian STEM MS graduates from Rush University routinely secure OPT roles at Chicago-area biotech and clinical research organisations; Rush’s proximity to AbbVie’s North Chicago headquarters and Abbott’s Lake Bluff campus adds a 45-minute commute recruiting corridor.
Rush University vs Peer Universities
Peer universities for Rush University are Chicago-area medical and health-sciences institutions plus one national comparator in the same US News global band.
| University | US News Global 2026-2027 | Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD / INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush University | #535 | #167 of 357 in USA | USD 35,000 / INR 33.1 lakh | Small cohort, hospital-embedded clinical training |
| University of Illinois Chicago | #178 | #63 of 357 in USA | USD 30,000 / INR 28.3 lakh | Larger public research university, broader PhD options |
| Loyola University Chicago | #464 | #141 of 357 in USA | USD 32,000 / INR 30.2 lakh | Jesuit private with wider non-health PG catalogue |
| DePaul University | Not ranked in top 500 | #231 of 357 in USA | USD 28,000 / INR 26.4 lakh | Business and computing focus, not health sciences |
| Northwestern University | #28 | #22 of 357 in USA | USD 62,000 / INR 58.5 lakh | Top-20 US private research, significantly higher cost |
[Source: US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027, Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026]
Rush University stands out because its every student sits inside a working academic medical centre; peer Chicago universities route health-sciences students to external partner hospitals for the equivalent clinical exposure.
Rush University is right for Indian applicants targeting a clinical-track MS Biotechnology, MS Clinical Research or allied-health degree at a mid-selectivity Chicago private, willing to spend USD 60,000 to USD 90,000 per year (INR 56.7 lakh to INR 85 lakh) against a median STEM MS starting salary of USD 85,000 (INR 80.3 lakh). STEM OPT eligibility and hospital-embedded rotations turn the Chicago F-1 route into a defensible career play.
Rush University is not right for applicants aiming at an MBA, computing MS or generalist research PhD; those students should look at Northwestern University or the University of Illinois Chicago for a broader catalogue and stronger non-health outcomes.
Rush University FAQs
Ques. What English tests does Rush University accept for Indian applicants?
Ans. Rush University accepts TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 88 on the legacy 0-120 scale or 18 on the new 1-6 scale effective January 2026, and IELTS Academic with an overall minimum band of 6.5. Duolingo, PTE and in-house tests are not accepted. Indian applicants with an English-medium bachelor’s transcript from an Indian university are still required to submit TOEFL or IELTS, since the waiver applies only to full degrees from English-official countries.
Ques. Can Indian students apply to Rush Medical College for the MD program?
Ans. No, the Rush Medical College Doctor of Medicine program restricts applications to US citizens and US permanent residents; Indian applicants on an F-1 visa are not eligible. Indian students seeking clinical medicine exposure at Rush should apply instead to the MS in Clinical Research, MS in Biotechnology or MS in Cardiovascular Perfusion, all of which admit international students and offer research or clinical placements inside the Rush University Medical Center hospital system.
Ques. Is GRE required for Rush University Master of Science admissions?
Ans. Rush University’s Division of Translational Science does not require GRE scores for the MS Biotechnology, MS Clinical Research or MS Integrated Biomedical Sciences programs for the 2027 intake. College of Health Sciences allied-health tracks such as Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy also waive GRE. Applicants should confirm on the specific programme page since a small number of PhD tracks may still request GRE scores for competitive review.
Ques. How long does OPT last for Rush University STEM graduates?
Ans. Indian graduates of Rush University’s STEM-designated MS programs, including MS Biotechnology and MS Clinical Research, qualify for the standard 12 months of Optional Practical Training plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving a total of 36 months of US work authorisation after graduation. Non-STEM allied-health MS graduates receive only the base 12-month OPT and must transition to H-1B or another visa category to remain in the United States.
Ques. What credential evaluation service does Rush University accept for Indian transcripts?
Ans. Rush University accepts only two credential evaluation services for foreign transcripts, World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators. Indian applicants must request an official course-by-course evaluation, not a document-by-document report; the evaluation must be sent directly by WES or ECE to Rush. Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, so Indian applicants targeting the 2 May 2027 priority deadline should initiate the evaluation by January 2027.
Ques. Does Rush University charge an application fee for Indian applicants?
Ans. Yes, Rush University charges a non-refundable application fee of USD 50 for most Master of Science programmes for the 2027 intake. The fee is paid by credit card at the point of application submission through the AHCAS or NursingCAS portals. Rush does not routinely offer fee waivers to international applicants, though some programme portals may waive fees during specific recruitment events; applicants should check the fee-waiver eligibility on the specific programme application page before paying.
Ques. Are education loans from Indian banks accepted for Rush University fees?
Ans. Yes, Rush University accepts loan disbursements from major Indian education lenders including HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India, provided the loan sanction letter meets the F-1 visa financial proof requirement. Rush does not offer institutional US-based loans to international students without a US-citizen cosigner, so Indian bank loans and Prodigy Finance style non-cosigner private loans remain the primary funding routes for Indian applicants at Rush University.
Ques. How does Rush compare to Loyola University Chicago for Indian MS applicants?
Ans. Rush University offers deeper clinical exposure because every classroom sits inside a working academic medical centre, whereas Loyola University Chicago sends its health-sciences students to affiliated Chicago hospitals for equivalent placements. Loyola’s PG catalogue is broader and covers business, law and non-health fields, so Indian applicants targeting health sciences typically choose Rush, while those seeking a wider Jesuit-liberal-arts environment or non-health PG programs choose Loyola.
Find A Program
Top Recommended Courses
Do you think the fees are wrong ? Report Here
Do you think the fees are wrong ? Report Here
Course Finder - Search from 50K+ courses
Popular Streams:

Overall 367 out of 824 in Global Ranking

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ? Report Here
Rush University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Claes Isacson Scholarship | Scholarship per student$20,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeNeed-Based | |
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
Do you think the Scholarship is wrong ? Report Here
Rush University Admissions
Application Portal: https://rushu.rush.edu/servlet/Satellite?c=RushUnivLevel2Page&cid=1230566919826&pagename=Rush%2FRushUnivLevel2Page%2FLevel_2_Student_Services_Area_Abo...
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Rush University Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | ||||
| TOEFL | - | 88 | - | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Rush University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16074 | 13288 | 2786 | - |


















Comments