School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Dubuque

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA 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 Dubuque based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,757 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 Dubuque is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dubuque is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Dubuque 10:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or University of Dubuque? 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 Dubuque than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($26,067 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dubuque are 26.6% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,150 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dubuque (about $14,325 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $42,095.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Dubuque (about $14,325 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $42,095.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dubuque than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 38.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($27,758 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Dubuque Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 50 points higher than at University of Dubuque (1100).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Dubuque).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; University of Dubuque 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Dubuque 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; University of Dubuque - 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 University of Dubuque (3.24).
• University of Dubuque has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) 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. 23.3% at University of Dubuque.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Dubuque earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dubuque graduates have a $39 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,674 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Dubuque and School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($265 vs. $265).
• More University of Dubuque graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.