School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Cornell College 14:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Cornell College? 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 Cornell College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($25,220 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 28.4% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,850 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $3,760 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Cornell College (about $3,760 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 104.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($41,092 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 50 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Cornell College 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; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) 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. 14.3% at Cornell College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Cornell College? 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than Cornell College 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 Cornell College graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College 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.