School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Simpson 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 Simpson College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($23,282 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 36.6% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,500 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $8,764 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Simpson College (about $8,764 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 89% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($37,896 vs. $20,050).

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

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Simpson 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 Simpson 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 60 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Simpson College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) 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. 21.6% at Simpson College.

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

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

• Simpson College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 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 Simpson 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 Simpson College graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Simpson 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.