School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. CMU

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (14,488 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); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or CMU? 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 Central Michigan University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($17,575 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 24.1% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,564 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 282.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $41,660 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 282.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Central Michigan University (about $41,660 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Central Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($20,050 vs. $13,042).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 70 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU 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; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; CMU - 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 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) 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. 11.3% at CMU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and CMU? 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 Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 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 CMU 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 CMU graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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.