Rush University: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Rush University: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Chicago, IllinoisLocation
UniversitySchool type
2569enrollment
NCA
Private (Not for Profit)
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 7, 2026

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.


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.

ProgramTotal Fee (USD)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
MS Clinical Research86,760 (2 years)81.9 lakhBachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Nursing80,640 (2 years)76.1 lakhBachelor’s in Nursing with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Clinical Nurse Leader80,640 (2 years)76.1 lakhBachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Speech-Language Pathology74,340 (2 years)70.2 lakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
MS Cardiovascular Perfusion63,660 (2 years)60.1 lakhBachelor’s in life sciences with 60% (recommended)
MS Clinical Nutrition60,960 (2 years)57.6 lakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
MS Clinical Laboratory Management29,730 (1 year)28.1 lakhBachelor’s in life sciences with 55% (recommended)
MS Medical Laboratory Science51,180 (2 years)48.3 lakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
MS Biotechnology19,983 (1 year)18.9 lakhBachelor’s in life sciences with 55% (recommended)
MS Occupational Therapy30,958 (2 years)29.2 lakhBachelor’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.

ProgramTotal Fee (USD)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
BS Imaging Sciences53,640 (2 years)50.7 lakhClass 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended)
BS Vascular Ultrasound50,820 (2 years)48 lakhClass 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended)
BS Health Sciences47,700 (2 years)45.1 lakhClass 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.

Read More: Rush University Fees and Cost of Living Guide


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.

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
Applications open (Fall 2027)7 September 2026Portal opens for Division of Translational Science
MS Clinical Research deadline15 May 2027Earliest Rush PG deadline; apply first
Priority deadline (most MS programs)2 May 2027Strongest scholarship consideration window
International applicant deadline1 July 2027Required cutoff for F-1 visa timeline
MS Biotechnology final deadline30 July 2027Course-by-course WES/ECE report must arrive by this date
Programme startSeptember 2027Fall 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.

LevelAnnual Range (USD)Annual Range (INR lakh)
Bachelor’s (health sciences completion tracks)23,850 to 26,82022.5 to 25.3 lakh
Master’s (allied health, biotechnology)19,983 to 43,38018.9 to 41 lakh
Doctoral (PhD, DNP, OTD)44,772 to 63,77642.3 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.

CategoryMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)
Rent and utilities1,920INR 1.81 lakh
Transportation541INR 51,097
Personal and miscellaneous687INR 64,887
Loan fees and health insurance128INR 12,090
Total monthly3,276INR 3.09 lakh
Total annual39,312INR 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.

ScholarshipTypeAward ValueEligibilityDeadline
College of Health Sciences EndowmentNeed and meritVerify at official pageAllied-health MS or OTD applicants2 May 2027
Ellis-Jones ScholarshipMeritVerify at official pageAllied-health students demonstrating leadership2 May 2027
Fry Foundation ScholarshipNeedVerify at official pageAllied-health MS applicants with financial need2 May 2027
Leadership ScholarshipMeritVerify at official pageOpen to all applicants including internationals2 May 2027
Golf Outing ScholarshipMeritVerify at official pageAllied-health students in good academic standing2 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 BodyLatest EditionPrevious EditionTwo Editions Back
QS World (Nursing subject)2027: #151-1752026: #151-2252025: #151-225
THE World2026: #401-5002025: #501-6002024: #501-600
US News Best Global2026-2027: #5352025-2026: Not ranked in top 5002024-2025: Not ranked in top 500
ARWU Shanghai2026: #601-7002025: #601-7002024: #601-700
Collegedunia Study Abroad#167 of 357 in USANANA

[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.

UniversityUS News Global 2026-2027Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026Avg Annual PG Fee (USD / INR lakh)Differentiator
Rush University#535#167 of 357 in USAUSD 35,000 / INR 33.1 lakhSmall cohort, hospital-embedded clinical training
University of Illinois Chicago#178#63 of 357 in USAUSD 30,000 / INR 28.3 lakhLarger public research university, broader PhD options
Loyola University Chicago#464#141 of 357 in USAUSD 32,000 / INR 30.2 lakhJesuit private with wider non-health PG catalogue
DePaul UniversityNot ranked in top 500#231 of 357 in USAUSD 28,000 / INR 26.4 lakhBusiness and computing focus, not health sciences
Northwestern University#28#22 of 357 in USAUSD 62,000 / INR 58.5 lakhTop-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.

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Rush University Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

Overall 367 out of 824 in Global Ranking

#167 out of 357 in USA 2026

QS World University logo
Medicine 501 out of 847 in Global Ranking
( #49 out of 129 in USA 2026)

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ?  Report Here

Rush University Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
Go Clean ScholarshipScholarship per student$3,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Business Administration ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Novus Biological Scholarship ProgramScholarship per student$1,500Level Of StudyAssociateTypeMerit-Based
Washington DC ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Claes Isacson ScholarshipScholarship per student$20,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeNeed-Based
TEC ScholarshipScholarship per student$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based

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Rush University Admissions

  • 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

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Language Proficiency
TOEFL-88--

Attendance Cost

$40,320

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

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
$26,820 / Year
Post Graduate Program
$40,320 / Year

Rush University Accreditations

Institutional accreditations
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Program wise accreditation
Clinical Science Programs
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Clinical Science Programs
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Medicine Programs
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
Nursing Programs
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Nursing Programs
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
Programs
American Occupational Therapy Association

Faculty

Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
16074132882786-

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