Concordia University-Irvine vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, 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.

Concordia University Irvine is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (3,658 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting); School of the Art Institute of Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Concordia University Irvine 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: Concordia University Irvine 13:1; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University Irvine than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($29,845 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Irvine are 13.8% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,270 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concordia University-Irvine (about $12,940 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Concordia University Irvine (about $12,940 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 44.5% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($28,966 vs. $20,050).

Concordia University-Irvine vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University-Irvine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Irvine (1150) is the same as at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Concordia University-Irvine students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Irvine 21/29; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free; School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Concordia University-Irvine students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) 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 Concordia University-Irvine (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine vs. 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University-Irvine 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).

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Concordia University Irvine's (51%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Irvine earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Irvine graduates have a $3,035 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,678 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University-Irvine graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($234 vs. $265).
• More Concordia University-Irvine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.