School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Carroll University

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Carroll University based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 3,138 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Carroll University is in Waukesha, WI (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Carroll University 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Carroll University? 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 Carroll University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($27,031 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll University are 13.7% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,280 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 45.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll University (about $17,530 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $38,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Carroll University (about $17,530 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $38,890.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll University students is 27.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($25,634 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll University (1160) is 10 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Carroll University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Carroll University 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Carroll University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Carroll University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Carroll University (3.39).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Carroll University (66.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 17.5% at Carroll University.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Carroll University? 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 Carroll University's (57%).
• Graduates from Carroll University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than Carroll University graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carroll University graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Carroll 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. (74% 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.