School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or IWU? 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 Wesleyan University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($28,644 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 19.2% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,370 vs. $16,550).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $1,284 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at IWU than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (about $1,284 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $56,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 110.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($42,181 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 80 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming IWU 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; Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; IWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) 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 IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 12.3% at IWU.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and IWU? 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 Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.