School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Holy Cross College

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Holy Cross College is in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Holy Cross College 13:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Holy Cross College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Holy Cross College? 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 Holy Cross College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($22,421 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College 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 54.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $19,820 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Holy Cross College (about $19,820 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Holy Cross College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 41.7% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($28,416 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Holy Cross College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 10 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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; Holy Cross College 980/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Holy Cross College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Holy Cross College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 19.5% at Holy Cross College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Holy Cross College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Holy Cross College? 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 Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Holy Cross College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $2,588 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($239 vs. $265).
• More Holy Cross College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.