School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Trine University

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Trine University in Angola, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trine University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,646 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Trine University is in Angola, IN (Distant Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Trine University 16:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Trine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Trine University? 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 Trine University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($25,355 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trine University are 20.7% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,120 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 54.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trine University (about $19,860 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Trine University (about $19,860 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Trine University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trine University students is 28.4% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($25,754 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Trine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Trine University? 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 Trine University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 10 points higher than at Trine University (1140).
• Incoming Trine University 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; Trine University 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Trine University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Trine University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Trine University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have the same average high school GPA (3.51) as students at Trine University (3.51).
• Trine University has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) 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. 18.8% at Trine University.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Trine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Trine University? 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 Trine University's (44%).
• Graduates from Trine University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trine University graduates have a $563 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,150 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Trine University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($260 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trine University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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.