For 160 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two among art and design colleges by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world. Notable alums and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.
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MAJORS OFFERED: Art History, Theory, and CriticismBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed ObjectsBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art and Technology Studies/Sound PracticesBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art EducationBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Art Therapy and CounselingBachelors 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
Painting and DrawingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PerformanceBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PhotographyBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
PrintmediaBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
SculptureBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Visual and Critical StudiesBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Visual Communication DesignBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
WritingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
| FULL-TIME | |
| TUITION | $ 59,460 |
| MANDATORY FEES | 1,310 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | 1,830 |
| ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 17,950 |
| OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 10,850 |
| OTHER | 5,320 |
| AID CATEGORY | AVG PER RECIPIENT | 1st YR RECIPIENTS |
| INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 | $19,157 | 100% |
| FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS | 7,024 | 29% |
| STATE & LOCAL GRANTS | 8,427 | 9% |
| FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS | 10,604 | 44% |
AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $26,582
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 = 2,631
UNDERGRADUATE
| FULL-TIME | 2,563 |
| PART-TIME | 174 |
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 = 421
| FULL-TIME | 148 |
| PART-TIME | 503 |
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2025
7.5 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1
FRESHMAN RETENTION
| FALL 2023 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2024 |
84% |
| FALL 2024 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2025 |
84% |
SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
| FALL 2018 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
67% |
| FALL 2019 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
67% |
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY
FALL 2025UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION
FALL 2025NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2
FALL 2025Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Continuing Education
Early College 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
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.