School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. McKendree University

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 2,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); McKendree University is in Lebanon, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McKendree University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; McKendree University 16:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. McKendree University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or McKendree University? 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 McKendree University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($22,444 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 23% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,742 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than McKendree University (about $21,680 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at McKendree University (about $21,680 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at McKendree University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($26,102 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. McKendree University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 80 points higher than at McKendree University (1070).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at McKendree University (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; McKendree University 871/1277.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; McKendree University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; McKendree University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at McKendree University (3.38).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than McKendree University (71.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 18.8% at McKendree University.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. McKendree University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and McKendree University? 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 McKendree University's (54%).
• Graduates from McKendree University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McKendree University graduates have a $2,463 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, McKendree University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($240 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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.