School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,235 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 14.7% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,124 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 386.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $44,817 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $14,317 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Wisconsin Madison (99% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 13% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($20,050 vs. $17,741).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 300 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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 Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) 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 Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $3,463 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,250 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($230 vs. $265).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.