Roosevelt University is a private university located in Chicago, founded in 1945 with a strong mission rooted in social justice, inclusion, and equal access to education. It was established by educator Edward J. Sparling after opposing discriminatory admission practices in higher education.

The university is named after former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, reflecting its commitment to democratic values and equality.

Key Facts

• 📍 Location: Chicago, Illinois (main campus) + Schaumburg campus
• 🎓 Type: Private, non-profit university
• 👨‍🎓 Students: ~4,200–4,600 total enrollment
• 🏫 Colleges:
  • Chicago College of Performing Arts
  • College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences
  • College of Science, Health & Pharmacy
  • Heller College of Business
• 👩‍🏫 Student–faculty ratio: ~11:1 to 14:1 (small class sizes)

Roosevelt is especially known for experiential learning, strong faculty engagement, and using Chicago as a “living classroom” for internships and real-world exposure.

📊 Rankings (2024–2026)

🌎 Global & National Rankings

• #2032 globally (EduRank 2026)
• #505 in the United States (EduRank 2026)
• #556 in North America

🇺🇸 U.S. News Rankings

• #390 (tie) in National Universities (2024)
• #174 in Top Performers on Social Mobility

🏆 Niche Rankings (2026)

• #386 in Best Colleges in America
• #13 in Illinois
• #18 Most Diverse Colleges in America
• Top 10 for Best College Locations in the U.S.

📘 QS / Other Rankings

• Ranked in the #201–250 range among U.S. universities (QS-style ranking)