School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. SFC

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Francis College is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,567 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); St. Francis College is in Brooklyn, NY (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Francis College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; St. Francis College 15:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or SFC? 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 St. Francis College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($17,698 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 8.1% lower than at St. Francis College ($16,550 vs. $18,000).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 96.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFC (about $27,645 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $28,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at St. Francis College (about $27,645 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $28,775.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at St. Francis College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 0.2% larger than aid received by St. Francis College students ($20,050 vs. $20,003).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 30 points higher than at SFC (1120).
• Incoming SFC 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; St. Francis College 990/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; St. Francis College 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; SFC - Not reported.
• 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 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at SFC (2.9).

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and SFC? 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 St. Francis College's (50%).
• Graduates from St. Francis College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Francis College graduates have a $1,288 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($24,425 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, SFC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($252 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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.