Samford University vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Comparable Facts

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

Samford University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); School of the Art Institute of Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Samford 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: Samford University 14:1; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1.

Samford University vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University 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 Samford University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($34,926 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 21.1% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,056 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 40.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Samford University (about $16,270 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.5% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Samford University (about $16,270 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Samford University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 12.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($22,530 vs. $20,050).

Samford University vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University 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 Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Samford University (1160) is 10 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Samford University 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: Samford University 1070/1250; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 22/28; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027; School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.4%) than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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

How do outcomes compare for Samford University 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).

• Samford University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samford University graduates have a $3,213 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Samford University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($232 vs. $265).
• More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.