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

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

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private (not-for-profit) and Northern Illinois University is a public 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.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

School of the Art Institute of Chicagovs.Northern Illinois University
Chicago, IllinoisLocationDekalb, Illinois
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
School of art, music, and designCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$52,6042024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,506
Out-Of-State$12,506
100%% Receiving Financial Aid95%
$16,956Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,294
76.00 %Acceptance Rates70.00 %
12.99 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
66 %Graduation Rate53 %
20 %Transfer-out Rate-
79 %Retention Rate65 %
3,532Student Population15,649
162Number of Faculties787
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare