School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Bellarmine University

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 2,886 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Bellarmine University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Bellarmine University 12:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Bellarmine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Bellarmine University? 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 Bellarmine University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($23,165 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 34.4% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,850 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bellarmine University (about $7,650 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $48,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Bellarmine University (about $7,650 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $48,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 94.5% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($39,001 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Bellarmine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Bellarmine University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bellarmine University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 10 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1140).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Bellarmine University 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Bellarmine University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Bellarmine University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) 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. 13.1% at Bellarmine University.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Bellarmine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Bellarmine University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bellarmine University graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Bellarmine University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.