School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (11,790 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); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,473 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 25.4% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,341 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 323.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $43,086 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 323.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $43,086 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 47.3% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($20,050 vs. $13,610).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 120 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Southern Illinois University - 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 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) 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. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Southern Illinois University? 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).

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $3,213 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($232 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

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.