School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Principia College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Principia College is in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Principia College 6:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Principia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Principia 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 Principia College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($18,248 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 16% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,910 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 62.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $21,740 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Principia College (about $21,740 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Principia College (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 51.6% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($30,402 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Principia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is the same as at Principia College (1150).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Principia College 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Principia College 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Principia College - Not reported.
• 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 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Principia College (3.34).

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

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

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.