School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Cornerstone University

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,695 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cornerstone University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornerstone University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Cornerstone University 15:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,335 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 23.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,700 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 145.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornerstone University (about $33,420 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.3% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Cornerstone University (about $33,420 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornerstone University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornerstone University students is 1.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($20,439 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 50 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1100).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Cornerstone University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Cornerstone University 970/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Cornerstone University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Cornerstone University - Test-free.
• 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 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28).
• Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) 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. 18.6% at Cornerstone University.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University's (43%).
• Graduates from School of the Art Institute of Chicago earn a median of about $300 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornerstone University graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Cornerstone University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More Cornerstone 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. (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.