School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit

Comparable Facts

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

University of Detroit Mercy is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (5,587 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); University of Detroit Mercy is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Detroit Mercy is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Detroit Mercy 12:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit? 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 University of Detroit Mercy than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($16,790 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Detroit Mercy are 33.8% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,952 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 71.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit (about $23,474 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $32,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Detroit Mercy (about $23,474 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $32,946.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Detroit Mercy than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Detroit Mercy students is 26.6% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($25,381 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is the same as at Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit (1150).
• Incoming Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; University of Detroit Mercy 1030/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Detroit Mercy 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) 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 Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 13.2% at Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Detroit Mercy's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Detroit Mercy earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Detroit Mercy graduates have a $2,213 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($242 vs. $265).
• More Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.