School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UChicago

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (18,566 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); University of Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Chicago 5:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or UChicago? 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 Chicago than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($28,060 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 17.7% lower than at University of Chicago ($16,550 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $14,242 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at UChicago than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $14,242 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Chicago (99% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 210.7% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($62,300 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 400 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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 Chicago 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Chicago 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; UChicago - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) 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 UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 88.3% at UChicago.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and UChicago? 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 Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $59,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $11,213 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($14,500 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($149 vs. $265).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.