School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. EIU

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (8,505 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); Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Eastern Illinois University 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or EIU? 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 Eastern Illinois University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,787 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 25.8% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,282 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 312.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $42,741 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 247.9% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Eastern Illinois University (about $40,203 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Eastern Illinois University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 54.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($20,050 vs. $12,960).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 160 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; EIU - 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 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at EIU (3.39).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 9.8% at EIU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and EIU? 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 Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $2,063 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,650 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($244 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.