School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Arcadia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($30,037 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 3.7% lower than at Arcadia University ($16,550 vs. $17,180).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arcadia (about $6,810 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Arcadia University (about $6,810 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago as at Arcadia University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 73.1% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($34,705 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Arcadia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Arcadia and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 20 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Arcadia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.