School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (5,381 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); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($28,511 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 2.3% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($16,166 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $12,924 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wilkes University (about $12,924 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 41.3% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($28,324 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) 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. 9.3% at Wilkes.

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

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $287 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($25,713 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($265 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former School of the Art Institute of Chicago students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.