School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; North Central College 12:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or North Central 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 North Central College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($23,276 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 11.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,688 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Central College (about $10,694 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at North Central College (about $10,694 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 69.9% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($34,056 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or North Central 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 North Central College and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 30 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) 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 North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and North Central 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).

• North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, North Central College 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 North Central 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. (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.