School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

Oakland University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (15,768 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); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Oakland University 17:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,208 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 33.9% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,932 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 269.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $41,158 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.3% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Oakland University (about $33,232 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Oakland University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 54.4% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($20,050 vs. $12,988).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 20 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Oakland - Test optional.
• 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 the same average high school GPA (3.51) as students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) 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. 14.7% at Oakland.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Oakland 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 School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

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.