School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Stephens College 8:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Stephens 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 Stephens College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($23,194 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 19.2% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,366 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 99.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $28,120 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Stephens College (about $28,120 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 16.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($23,341 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 50 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

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

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

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from School of the Art Institute of Chicago earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $37,400), 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 Stephens 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 Stephens College graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Stephens 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. (63% 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.