School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Valpo? 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 Valparaiso University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($21,766 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 17.7% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($13,618 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valpo (about $7,970 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Valparaiso University (about $7,970 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 87.3% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($37,548 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 20 points higher than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Valpo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) 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. 9.6% at Valpo.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Valpo? 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.