School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Michigan Dearborn is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (8,104 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 Michigan Dearborn is in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or UM-Dearborn? 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 Michigan Dearborn than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,521 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 32.1% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,241 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 260.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Dearborn (about $40,780 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $15,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.5% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of Michigan Dearborn (about $23,524 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $32,896.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago as at University of Michigan Dearborn (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 65.4% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($20,050 vs. $12,124).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or UM-Dearborn? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UM-Dearborn and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 30 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) 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 UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and UM-Dearborn? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $37 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($25,713 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($265 vs. $266).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 46%)

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.