School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or JCU? 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 John Carroll University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($30,030 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 12.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,520 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCU (about $5,920 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at John Carroll University (about $5,920 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 78.5% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($35,785 vs. $20,050).

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

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or JCU? 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 JCU and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 110 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming JCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) 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. 15.9% at JCU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and JCU? 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,226 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($25,713 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($265 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.