About School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Founded in 1866, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. is a Private college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 2,848 full time undergraduate students, and 721 full time graduate students.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 160 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at School of the Art Institute of Chicago include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate59%
Application Deadline
Application Fee65
SAT Range1020-1240
ACT Range22-27

Admissions at SAIC are considered Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
6%
“We know about current events and vote”
49%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
43%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
6%
“Sometimes, but not often”
40%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
49%
“All the time, including weekends”
9%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
57%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
97%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
3%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
3%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
97%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
25%
“Available in class”
36%
“They keep regular office hours”
36%
“They”re always available”
91%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
9%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
49%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
23%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
43%
“There might be people who do”
23%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
29%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

School of the Art Institute of Chicago REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    94 Students rated on-campus housing 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    66 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    85 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    100 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    100 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    100 Students rated school activities 3.2 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    101 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 65 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    100 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

42 Students rated School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Leah - 03/31/2023

I think SAIC is a brilliant school for up-in-coming artists. That being said, in my opinion it does help if you come to the school with an idea of what it is you want to focus on. They introduce you to a lot of different mediums in your first year, which is really great foe students who want an opportunity to try a bit of everything and get a feel for where their artistic passions truly are. But, it can be distracting for students who know what they want their concentration to be in, and takes away time that could be allotted into bettering their skillsets within the medium they work in. SAIC also has a slew of resources on how to network and make a career for oneself as an artist, but I don't feel as if they do enough to directly prepare students for what comes next after graduation. The resources are there, but if you don't know who to ask or how to utilize the resources they offer, students might have a more challenging time after graduation with trying to navigate a career as an artist. All in all, SAIC is a great school. It's certainly not without it's faults, but overall I enjoyed my time at the Art Institute.

Isabelle - 12/18/2020

SAIC has been my dream school for three years and I'm grateful to be a part of their student body. Their resources are unlimited, their faculty are kind, helpful, and organized, and the student life here is a beautiful bunch of creative individuals who all take their passions of art seriously. I feel safe and recognized here.

deja

its a good school, not very diverse in student body or teachers, the facilities are amazing though and it is a very open learning environment. The school has tried to implement diversity training for the teachers but it doesn't always work. Overall our art resources are some of the best and so is our facility.

Haylie

I have completed my first semester at SAIC. The professors are extremely helpful and are available almost 24/7 through phone or e-mail. The methods of teaching between different professors are extremely diversified. The school has all kinds of external connections for students to begin creating important career-important connections/relationships early on. My only problem is the cost of the tuition is extremely high.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 59%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would advise my younger self to create a schedule for homework and projects. Also I would tell my younger self to go after more scholarships, research the school more, and study the city.

    Read all  84 answers
  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Best of it's kind but unfalteringly pretencious.

    Read all  20 answers
  4. Describe the students at your school.

    SAIC students are diverse in their approach on art.

    Read all  20 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about the school is how cold and unsupportive it can be sometimes. Though when you find those people and teachers who care it is amazing. There are some that will support you every step of your education here and will do anything to help you. You just have to find these people.

    Read all  15 answers
  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is extremely helpful when it comes to seeing what you are truly capable of as an artist. Everyone around you, both classmates and professors are willing to help you achieve what you personally are looking for in your work. The amount of self expression that goes on in and around the campus is inspiring itself. The work load demands a lot from the students spare time but in the end it will be worth it.. Also, since this school is in the heart of Chicago, the opportunities are so wide spread.

    Read all  14 answers
  7. What's unique about your campus?

    The quality of learning we get from working artists. The internship/co-op program is also pretty good. However, paying for an internship via co-op is not exactly ideal.

    Read all  14 answers
  8. What kind of person should attend this school?

    SAIC is a school made for individuals to celebrate and find their individuality. You have to be secure in your own independent identity to thrive, but once that point is reached an individual can reach their potential. Someone afraid of hard work and creativity need not apply.

    Read all  13 answers
  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The Visual Communication Program andth university's museum.

    Read all  12 answers
  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It is an inspirational enviroment. The professers are all experts. All the classes i have taken have been interesting. Each professer has to be a working artist, scientist, critic, .....ext

    Read all  12 answers
  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    It's way conceptual.

    Read all  12 answers
  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who wants a more practical solid career

    Read all  11 answers
  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    how expensive it would be

    Read all  10 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    Academics are OK if you pick your classes correctly, the studio classes are more difficult than a lot of people realize. Studios will take up most of your time, but it's fairly balanced with the amount of academic work.

    Read all  1 answers
  15. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    They are not very big on student activities, I don't even know if they do them here.

    Read all  1 answers
  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The best part of the school is that i am able to move around departments and play with the different aspects of art. This is the furthest thing from your typical campus, because there is none. Be prepared for strange things to happen, people are very open here. However there is a lot of bureaucracy it can be hard to get things done at times. People in the art community know how big a deal the school is, but anyone out side of that circle will have no idea where the hell you went to school.

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    These are your typical creative types, tattooed hipster art kids. However you do get some variety, very little.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

73%

female

27%

male

2,848

Total Undergrad Enrollment

721

Total Grad Students

54%

Out-Of-State

16%

In-State

30%

International

Organizations

45

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

27%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
11%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
11%
% White or Caucasian
35%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

85% of students attending School of the Art Institute of Chicago receive some sort of financial aid. 22% were awarded federal grants. While 39% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$45,750

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,770

Books and Supplies

$13,640

Room and Board

61,160

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$34,018
$30 - $48K
$36,050
$48 - $75K
$39,399
$75 - $110K
$40,923
$110K & UP
$43,199

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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