School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,345 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); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Drake University 11:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Drake? 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 Drake University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($29,565 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 24.8% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,452 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $4,290 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Drake University (about $4,290 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 77% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($35,498 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 80 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Drake 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; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) 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 Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 9.8% at Drake.

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

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

• Drake University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $29,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $287 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($25,713 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($265 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.