School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. BSU

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (21,089 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); Ball State University is in Muncie, IN (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Ball State University 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or BSU? 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 Ball State University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,599 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 25.5% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,334 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 409.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $45,338 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Ball State University (about $26,790 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Ball State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 51.7% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($20,050 vs. $13,218).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Ball State University 1080/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Ball State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; BSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 20.4% at BSU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and BSU? 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 Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.