School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($29,117 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 30.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,534 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 48.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $18,500 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $18,500 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 10.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($22,132 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 80 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) 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. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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).

• University of Northwestern St Paul's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Northwestern St Paul earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $3,643 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,070 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($228 vs. $265).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.