School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,067 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 30.9% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,440 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 65.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $22,406 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Spring Arbor University (about $22,406 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 19.1% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($23,877 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 20 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• 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; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 16.5% at SAU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $1,670 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($248 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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.