CSU vs. AAC

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Art Academy of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 213 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Art Academy of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Art Academy of Cincinnati 9:1.

CSU vs. AAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or AAC? 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 Chicago State University than AAC ($10,441 vs. $33,491).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 7.7% lower than at Chicago State University ($10,660 vs. $11,550).
• Art Academy of Cincinnati is 224.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $28,621 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 224.4% higher at AAC than at Chicago State University (about $28,621 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 7% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($19,460 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. AAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or AAC? 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 AAC and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; AAC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AAC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at AAC (3.1).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (43.3%) than AAC (34.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 11.4% at AAC.

CSU vs. AAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and AAC? 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).

• Art Academy of Cincinnati's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Chicago State University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than AAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, AAC graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More AAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 25%)

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.