School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Calvin University

Should I go to School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Calvin University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Calvin University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Calvin University comparison
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University College 3 College 4
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
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Overview

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Location Chicago, IL Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,401 3,364
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #464 #323
Religious Affiliation - Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saic.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Tuition (In State) $53,550 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $53,550 $38,370
Room & Board $16,100 $11,950
Avg Net Price $55,485 $26,374
Avg Grant Aid $18,872 $27,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,633 4,719
Admitted 5,069 3,365
Acceptance Rate 76.4% 71.3%
Enrolled % 13.3% 21.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/25 22/30
SAT Range 1048/1260 1070/1340
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 15, 2025

Academics

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (96%)
  • English and Literature (3%)
  • Architecture (2%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Graduation Rate 60% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,713 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $265 $273

Diversity

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 13% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 74%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 32% 10%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
% In-State 11% 51%
% Out-of-State 59% 33%

Campus

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Calvin University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (3,401 students vs. 3,364 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Calvin University?

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 39.6% more expensive to attend than Calvin University for in-state tuition ($53,550.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.6% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than Calvin University ($53,550.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($26,374 vs. $55,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 34.7% lower than costs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,950 vs. $16,100)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 44.1% larger than aid received School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($27,189 vs. $18,872)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Calvin University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Calvin University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Calvin University or School of the Art Institute of Chicago .

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 47 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1155)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (25)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin 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)
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Calvin University (71.3%)

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

Which is better, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Calvin University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Calvin University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Calvin University earn on average $7,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $39,100)
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago students graduate with a $736 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($25,713 vs. $26,449)
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($265 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin 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. (81% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/