School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. DePaul

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (21,210 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); DePaul University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; DePaul University 17:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or DePaul? 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 DePaul University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($34,135 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 13.3% lower than at DePaul University ($16,550 vs. $19,095).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $10,421 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at DePaul University (about $10,421 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 46.1% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($29,285 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 90 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; DePaul University 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; DePaul University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; DePaul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 10.8% at DePaul.

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

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

• DePaul University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $2,381 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,332 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($241 vs. $265).
• More DePaul 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.