School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,397 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); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Governors State University 11:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or GSU? 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 Governors State University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,756 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 29.1% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,736 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 370% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $44,416 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 370% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Governors State University (about $44,416 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Governors State University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 75% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($20,050 vs. $11,455).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 200 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Governors State University 830/1060.
• 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; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) 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 GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 16.8% at GSU.

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

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

• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $8,463 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($178 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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.