Chapman vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Comparable Facts

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

Chapman University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); School of the Art Institute of Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Chapman or School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 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 Chapman University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($47,902 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 7.1% lower than at Chapman University ($16,550 vs. $17,814).
• Chapman University is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $8,564 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Chapman than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $8,564 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Chapman University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 76.7% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($35,434 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 200 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Chapman students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Chapman students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) 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 Chapman (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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

How do outcomes compare for Chapman and School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 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).

• Chapman University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $4,775 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($20,938 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($216 vs. $265).
• More Chapman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.