School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Ripon 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 Ripon College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($23,772 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 34.7% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,800 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ripon College (about $4,520 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Ripon College (about $4,520 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 98.1% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($39,716 vs. $20,050).

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

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Ripon 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 Ripon 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 20 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Ripon College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Ripon College - 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 a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) 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. 10.9% at Ripon College.

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

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

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $2,287 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($25,713 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($265 vs. $289).
• More Ripon 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. (77% 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.