The Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is a 16-acre, park-like, city campus situated between the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, in vibrant midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Our expansive studios provide the perfect playground for material exploration and a safe environment to take artistic risks. Students are supported by our dedicated faculty of practicing artists and scholars, who will guide you in bringing your ideas to life. Founded in 1885, KCAI offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 13 majors. Students can choose from 11 studio majors, art history, and creative writing, along with two minors in Entrepreneurial Studies and Social Practice and a certificate program in Asian Studies.
At KCAI you will find a collaborative environment that facilitates multidisciplinary experiences and challenges preconceived ideas. You will also have full access to a state-of-the-art fabrication lab; which allows us to provide instruction on the most innovative processes in art and design, advancing our students’ making capabilities. We seek ambitious students who are interested in pushing the technical and conceptual boundaries of what they do, while simultaneously invigorating the development of work that is sound both in craft and in content. We welcome you to apply and invite you to visit campus, meet our students and faculty, and discover the spirit of community and collaboration that exists at KCAI.
Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.
MAJORS OFFERED:AnimationBachelors Degree
Art HistoryBachelors Degree
CeramicsBachelors Degree
Creative WritingBachelors Degree
FiberBachelors Degree
FilmmakingBachelors Degree
Graphic DesignBachelors Degree
IllustrationBachelors Degree
PaintingBachelors Degree
PhotographyBachelors Degree
PrintmakingBachelors Degree
Product DesignBachelors Degree
SculptureBachelors Degree
Asian Studies
Entrepreneurial StudiesBachelors degree
Social PracticeBachelors degree
This program is Residential.
| FULL-TIME | |
| TUITION | $ 42,000 |
| MANDATORY FEES | 1,550 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | 800 |
| ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 12,900 |
| OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 10,000 |
| OTHER | 2,050 |
| AID CATEGORY | AVG PER RECIPIENT | 1st YR RECIPIENTS |
| INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 | $23,036 | 100% |
| FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS | 5,526 | 43% |
| STATE & LOCAL GRANTS | 2,367 | 20% |
| FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS | 5,436 | 75% |
AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $31,931
100% 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 = 732
UNDERGRADUATE
| FULL-TIME | 728 |
| PART-TIME | 10 |
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: | Recommended |
| APPLICATION FEES: | None |
| HOME EXAM: | Not Required |
| INTERVIEW: | Recommended |
| ESSAY: | Required |
| SAT / ACT: | Required |
| PORTFOLIO: | Required |
| LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: | Required (2) |
| IELTS: | N/A |
| TOEFL: | N/A |
TRANSCRIPTS
| HIGH SCHOOL: | Required |
| COLLEGE: | Required, if transferring |
FACULTY FTE1 = 64
| FULL-TIME | 57 |
| PART-TIME | 63 |
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2022
11.4 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1
FRESHMAN RETENTION
| FALL 2020 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2021 |
75% |
| FALL 2021 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2022 |
74% |
SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
| FALL 2015 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
64% |
| FALL 2016 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
55% |
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY
FALL 2022UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION
FALL 2022NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2
FALL 2022Community Education Classes
Art Educators Summer Program
Art Educators Saturday Workshops
High School Summer Intensives
Weekend Pre-College Spring Intensive
Pre-College Summer and Weekend Programs
Travel Abroad Programs
AICAD Exchange Program
International Exchanges
Study Abroad
Internships
Professional Practice Program
Center for Career Services
Certificate program in Social Practice
Asian Studies Certificate Program
KCASE (Kansas City Area School Exchange)
Work-Study Graphic Design Team
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.