School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA

Founded in 1866, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is one of the most historically significant accredited independent schools of art and design in the world. SAIC is consistently ranked among the top art and design schools by QS World University Rankings and U.S. News and World Report, and is distinct in providing an interdisciplinary curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, renowned faculty, exceptional resources including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, and the necessary freedom for students to develop as artists, designers and scholars. SAIC confers bachelor’s degrees in Art Education, Studio Art, Writing, Art History, and Visual Studies.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
81%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.November 15
Fall Regular DecisionNovember 15
Spring Regular DecisionNovember 1

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
18%
30%
Submitting ACT
40%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 27
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1238
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
3,559
Total Number of Undergrads
2,795
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

0
100
49%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
70%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
10:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$51,606
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$52,270
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$52,270
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$16,550
Books and Supplies
$2350

Aid & Grants

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$17,406
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,308
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$16,231

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
36%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,177
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$248

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
25%
75%
Student Organizations
49
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Chicago
New York
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Seattle
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$40,800

What Students Are Saying

Interdisciplinary, major-less environment. Tons of opportunities. Very conceptual and design-y.
Sarah from MA
saic provides a challenging and creative environment to sharpen your artistic skills. the staff is well equipped with experience and knowledge to give practical and helpful direction. the school is also located in one of the most exciting cities in the world, with a vibrant history and many opportunities to make your voice heard.
Maria from Irmo, SC
I've visited the campus multiple times and have had absolutely no criticisms against it! The school's little supportive ideas for the artist's mind (having school in the museum, studios in all dorm buildings open 24/7, and having no majors or grades whatsoever) is extremely helpful! If you're an artist looking to pursue an education within the city and want to be pushed to be the greatest you can be, I suggest you apply here.
Amanda from Westchester, IL
This is an interdisciplinary school and they will make sure you know it. The first year program focuses almost exclusively on the interdisciplinary aspect of the bachelor of fine arts track. However, once you get out of that first year they definitely take care of you.
Katherine from Clinton, MO