School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cleveland Institute of Art

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cleveland Institute of Art is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($30,837 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 22.4% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,850 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland Institute of Art (about $7,020 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $49,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Cleveland Institute of Art (about $7,020 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $49,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 68.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($33,857 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 20 points higher than at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130).
• Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Cleveland Institute of Art - 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 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art's (58%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Art earn a median of about $300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $3,287 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($25,713 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($265 vs. $299).
• More Cleveland Institute of Art graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.