School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs Mount Holyoke College
When it comes to higher education, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and Mount Holyoke College stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. SAIC, located in the heart of Chicago's vibrant art scene, is a private art and design school renowned for its rigorous programs in visual arts, while Mount Holyoke College, nestled in the historic town of South Hadley, Massachusetts, is a private liberal arts college known for its strong academic reputation and commitment to women's education. With acceptance rates of 28% and 56%, respectively, these institutions attract students with diverse backgrounds and aspirations. While SAIC's student body is predominantly composed of art and design enthusiasts, Mount Holyoke College boasts a diverse student population pursuing a wide range of majors, including social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. As you explore the comparison table below, you'll discover further insights into these institutions' graduation rates, popular majors, and other key differences, helping you make
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![]() Mount Holyoke College |
![]() School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
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Overview |
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Location | South Hadley, Massachusetts | Chicago, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 83.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.3% | 81.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1300 - 1510 | N/A |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,971 | 5,835 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,077 | 4,725 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 608 | 669 |
Yield rate | 29.3% | 14.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $73,438 | $67,380 |
Average net price | $29,218 | $50,214 |
Tuition | $56,300 | $52,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,320
Meal plan:
$8,260
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Room/dormitory:
$13,500
Meal plan:
$2,480
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $30,351 |
93.0%
Average amount $20,194 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,906 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,504 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $4,982 |
8.0%
Average amount $32,788 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,220
Men 0.1% Women 99.9% |
2,795
Men 24.8% Women 75.2% |
Graduate students |
122
Men 13.1% Women 86.9% |
764
Men 25.8% Women 74.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 23.1% | 30.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,171 | 990 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New York California Connecticut Florida | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.0% | 65.0% |
Dropout rate | 2.9% | 7.5% |
Transferred out | 11.9% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
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