School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,958 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 3.2% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($16,016 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 317.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $42,918 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.3% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Kentucky (about $22,280 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Kentucky (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 55.5% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($20,050 vs. $12,898).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 30 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Kentucky 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 Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) 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. 22.2% at Kentucky.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $2,963 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($235 vs. $265).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.