School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (6,332 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); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,208 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 31.6% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,320 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 269.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $41,156 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269.6% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Western Illinois University (about $41,156 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($20,050 vs. $14,994).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 160 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• 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 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,009 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($255 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.