School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of St Francis

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 3,074 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 St Francis is in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; University of St Francis 15:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of St Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or University of St Francis? 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 St Francis than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,045 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 27.6% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,980 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 48% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Francis (about $18,310 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $38,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at University of St Francis (about $18,310 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $38,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 59.6% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($31,998 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of St Francis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 20 points higher than at University of St Francis (1130).
• Incoming University of St Francis students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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 St Francis 1030/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; University of St Francis 20/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; University of St Francis - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at University of St Francis (3.47).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 14.2% at University of St Francis.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. University of St Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of St Francis? 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 St Francis's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Francis graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, University of St Francis graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More University of St Francis 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.