College Search
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL · City · 2,805 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$49,790
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
65%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
63% typical
$40,151
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$39,254 typical
77%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Renowned as one of the nation's most influential independent schools of art and design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is highly acclaimed for its prestigious programs in fine arts, fashion design, fiber and material studies, and visual communication design. Its urban campus, integrated directly into the vibrant cultural landscape of Chicago’s Loop, fosters a highly collaborative, socially engaged, and fiercely creative student culture where artists are encouraged to push traditional boundaries. What truly sets SAIC apart is its uniquely flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum—which allows undergraduates to customize their educational path without declaring a traditional major—alongside its supportive credit/no-credit grading system and direct, free access to the world-class Art Institute of Chicago museum.


Wikipedia:The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is the private art school of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) in Chicago, Illinois.

Location
Chicago, IL, 60603 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
9 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$56,420
Housing & food (on campus)$16,550
Books & supplies$2,380
Cost of attendance$75,625
Average net price$49,790
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$56,420
Housing & food (on campus)$16,550
Books & supplies$2,380
Cost of attendance$75,625
Average net price$49,790
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$43,798
$30–48k
$39,845
$48–75k
$46,708
$75–110k
$49,595
$110k+
$55,790
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
65%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
37%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
23%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
68% graduated · 26% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 5% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$26,742
10 yrs after entry$40,151
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$8.5k–$29.8k
90th percentile$37,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Special focus — arts, music & design: 63% graduate within 6 yrs, $39,254 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
77%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

Wondering if School of the Art Institute of Chicago is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If School of the Art Institute of Chicago asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 23%Women 77%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
21%
Family income
$50,784
Independent
14%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
7%
Race & ethnicity
White
35%
Hispanic
13%
Black
6%
Asian
10%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
28%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$26,742
After 10 yrs
$40,151
Fine and Studio Arts581
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies13
Visual and Performing Arts, General6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$417M
Full-time faculty
22%
Faculty salary
$11,628/mo
Teaching spend
$18,435
per student
Federal loans
37%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — arts, music & design
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if School of the Art Institute of Chicago is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search