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.

Yes, SAIC is an expensive school, but for good reason: the resources available here are better than most art schools in the country, let alone the art programs at big universities that are better known for their research studies. However, if your only ambition to become the best technical painter there ever was, think twice. SAIC is a very conceptual school, and your work has to do more than look good. The best aspect of the school is certainly the amount of freedom it gives to allow students to study multiple artistic disciplines. It's common (and encouraged) for one student to take courses in Sound, Designed Objects, Painting, etc.