School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (30,779 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 Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Iowa? 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 Iowa than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,765 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 21.9% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,920 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 400% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $45,137 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.1% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Iowa (about $23,049 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Iowa (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 103.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($20,050 vs. $9,865).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 80 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Iowa 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 Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) 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. 22.4% at Iowa.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Iowa? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,097 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($223 vs. $265).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.