School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($24,031 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 29% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($11,750 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 114.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $30,170 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.9% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wartburg College (about $30,170 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wartburg College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 101.2% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($40,336 vs. $20,050).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 80 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College 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; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 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 Wartburg College 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 Wartburg College graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.