School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Ashland College

Comparable Facts

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

Ashland University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,106 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); Ashland University is in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Ashland University 14:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Ashland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Ashland College? 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 Ashland University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($22,610 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ashland University are 18% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,568 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 80.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ashland College (about $25,210 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.8% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Ashland University (about $25,210 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($20,835 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Ashland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 30 points higher than at Ashland College (1120).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Ashland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Ashland University 1035/1208.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Ashland University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Ashland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ashland College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) 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 Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 15.9% at Ashland College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Ashland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Ashland University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $537 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($25,713 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($265 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.