School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (59,238 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 Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Illinois? 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 Urbana Champaign than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,973 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 12.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,522 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 252.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $40,416 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.6% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $21,296 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 3.9% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($20,050 vs. $19,299).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 270 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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 Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) 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 Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Illinois? 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 Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $5,213 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($211 vs. $265).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.