School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (23,803 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); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,416 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 13.9% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,252 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 271.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $41,230 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wayne State University (about $24,383 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wayne State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 54.8% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($20,050 vs. $12,953).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) 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. 22.4% at WSU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,455 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, WSU 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 School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 38%)

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.