School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or St. Mary's 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 Saint Mary's College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($27,865 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 13.8% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,260 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's College (about $3,190 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Saint Mary's College (about $3,190 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 93.3% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($38,748 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 80 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) 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 St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's 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. (85% 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.