School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (21,546 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); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or ISU? 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 Illinois State University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,369 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 29% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,754 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 249.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $40,276 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Illinois State University (about $28,210 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($20,050 vs. $12,974).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 22.5% at ISU.

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

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

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($227 vs. $265).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.