School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Illinois Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (4,628 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 Springfield is in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Illinois Springfield 13:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Illinois Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or University of Illinois Springfield? 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 Springfield than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($10,809 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Springfield are 26% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,242 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 360.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $44,168 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.3% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Springfield (about $34,403 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $22,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Springfield (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 36.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students ($20,050 vs. $14,666).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of Illinois Springfield Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 80 points higher than at University of Illinois Springfield (1070).
• Incoming University of Illinois Springfield 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; University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Illinois Springfield 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) 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. 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Illinois Springfield? 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).

• University of Illinois Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $6,920 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($18,793 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($194 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Illinois Springfield students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.