The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is an internationally acclaimed college of art and design shaping world-changing artists and ideas since 1866. At SAIC, our more than 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students have the freedom to chart their own path through self-guided, interdisciplinary study across 26 academic departments with small class sizes, one-on-one mentoring, cutting-edge studios, and exceptional resources, including our Art Institute of Chicago museum. SAIC students learn how to think, question, and create, and our alums and faculty make significant and groundbreaking contributions to our society through contemporary art, design, and scholarship.
Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.
MAJORS OFFERED: Art History, Theory, and CriticismBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed ObjectsBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art and Technology StudiesBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art EducationBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art TherapyBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Arts Administration and PolicyBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
CeramicsBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Contemporary PracticesBachelors Degree
Design for Emerging TechnologiesMasters Degree
Fashion DesignBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Fiber and Material StudiesBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Film, Video, New Media and AnimationBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Historic PreservationMasters Degree
InterdisciplinaryBachelors Degree
Masters (low-residency)
Masters Degree
Liberal ArtsBachelors Degree
New Arts JournalismMasters Degree
Painting and DrawingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PerformanceBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PhotographyBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PrintmediaBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
SculptureBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
SoundBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Visual and Critical StudiesBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Visual Communication DesignBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
WritingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
| FULL-TIME | |
| TUITION | $ 55,440 |
| MANDATORY FEES | 980 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | 2,380 |
| ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 18,600 |
| OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 10,730 |
| OTHER | 2,840 |
| AID CATEGORY | AVG PER RECIPIENT | 1st YR RECIPIENTS |
| INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 | $17,348 | 96% |
| FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS | 5,828 | 20% |
| STATE & LOCAL GRANTS | 7,360 | 5% |
| FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS | 5,474 | 38% |
AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $23,024
97% OF FULL-TIME FRESHMEN RECEIVED AID
* Most recent financial aid data available
Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.
UNDERGRADUATE FTE1 = 2,624
UNDERGRADUATE
| FULL-TIME | 2,529 |
| PART-TIME | 241 |
NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc.
| APPLICATION: | Required |
| ONLINE APPLICATION: | Required |
| APPLICATION FEES: | 65 (approximate) |
| HOME EXAM: | Not Required |
| INTERVIEW: | Recommended |
| ESSAY: | Required |
| SAT / ACT: | Not Required |
| PORTFOLIO: | Required |
| LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: | Recommended |
| IELTS: | N/A |
| TOEFL: | Required if English is a second language |
TRANSCRIPTS
| HIGH SCHOOL: | Required |
| COLLEGE: | Required, if transferring |
FACULTY FTE1 = 233
| FULL-TIME | 141 |
| PART-TIME | 275 |
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2023
13.8 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1
FRESHMAN RETENTION
| FALL 2021 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2022 |
78% |
| FALL 2022 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2023 |
83% |
SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
| FALL 2016 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
66% |
| FALL 2017 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
63% |
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY
FALL 2023UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION
FALL 2023NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2
FALL 2023Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Continuing Education
Early College Program
Cooperative Education Internship Program
Career Development Office
Study Abroad & Domestic Exchange
Study Trips
Oxbow Summer School of Art and Artists Residency
Over 50 Student Organizations
fNewmagazine
FreeRadio SAIC
Student-run Galleries
Teacher Institute in Contemporary Art
NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc. NOTE 2: Geographic distribution is reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates. NOTE 3: Includes all institutional scholarships and grants, but does not include College Work Study or third party awards.