Academic Comparison between Northern Illinois University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Northern Illinois University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Northern Illinois University is a four-year, public school located in Dekalb, IL and School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Chicago, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Northern Illinois University is a public and School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,604) than Northern Illinois University ($12,506).
  • It is harder to admit to Northern Illinois University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Northern Illinois University has more students with 15,649 students while School of the Art Institute of Chicago has 3,532 students.
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Northern Illinois University's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Northern Illinois University has more full-time faculties with 787 faculties while School of the Art Institute of Chicago has 162 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Northern Illinois University School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northern Illinois Universityvs.School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Dekalb, IllinoisLocationChicago, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$12,506
Out-Of-State$12,506
2024 Tuition & Fees$52,604
88%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$11,178Average Amount of Financial Aid$18,069
70.45 %Acceptance Rates76.42 %
12.93 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.34 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
50 %Graduation Rate64 %
-Transfer-out Rate23 %
65 %Retention Rate79 %
15,649Student Population3,532
787Number of Faculties162
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services