School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (3,394 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($24,095 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 26% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($12,250 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 56.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $20,310 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $20,310 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 22.8% larger than aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students ($24,624 vs. $20,050).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 50 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC 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; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) 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. 20.2% at WLC.

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

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

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $713 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, WLC 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 WLC 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.