School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Loyola

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola University Chicago is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (17,384 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); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Loyola? 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 Loyola University Chicago than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($39,147 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 2.7% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($16,550 vs. $17,010).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $2,710 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Loyola University Chicago (about $2,710 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $53,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Loyola University Chicago (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 43.7% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($28,816 vs. $20,050).

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

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Loyola? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Loyola and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 120 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Loyola - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Loyola students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) 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. 8.6% at Loyola.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Loyola? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.