School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UIC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (33,906 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 Illinois Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Illinois Chicago 17:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or UIC? 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 Illinois Chicago than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,852 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Chicago are 0.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($16,500 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 293.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $42,082 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.8% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $26,536 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Chicago (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 19.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($20,050 vs. $16,755).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 90 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming UIC 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; University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Illinois Chicago 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; UIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at UIC (3.41).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 21.1% at UIC.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and UIC? 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 University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $6,963 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($193 vs. $265).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.