School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Niche
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School of the Art Institute of Chicago
blue checkmark
  • 4 Year
  • CHICAGO, IL

Monthly Update

5.14.2024

SAIC's final application date for Fall 2024 is June 1. Apply now! Learn More

Report Card

grade C+
Overall Niche Grade
  1. Academics
    grade B minus
  2. Value
    grade D minus
  3. Diversity
    grade A+
  4. Campus
    grade B
  5. Athletics
    grade unavailable
  6. Party Scene
    grade B
  7. Professors
    grade B minus
  8. Location
    grade A
  9. Dorms
    grade A minus
  10. Campus Food
    grade B+
  11. Student Life
    grade A minus
  12. Safety
    grade B

About

36 S WABASH
CHICAGO, IL 60603
Athletic Division
No data available  
Athletic Conference
No data available  
From School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Ranked #2 Graduate Fine Arts Program in the US

#7 Art and Design School in the World

Founded in 1866, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is one of the most historically significant accredited independent schools of art and design in the world. We are ranked among the top ten art and design schools in the world by QS World University Rankings; we were named “the most influential art college in the United States” by Columbia University’s National Arts Journalism survey; and are ranked the #2 graduate fine arts program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Application Deadline
June 1
Acceptance Rate
79%
SAT Range
No data available  
ACT Range
No data available  
Application Fee
$65
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA
Neither required nor recommended
Accepts Common App
Yes

Will You Get In?

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Cost

Net Price
$53,923 / year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$18,290 / year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
100%

Scholarship

Academics

Professors
grade B minus
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
8:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
80%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 46 responses
42%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 53 responses
33%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 52 responses

Majors

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio

academic spotlight

One of SAIC’s most distinguishing features is our interdisciplinary curriculum. At SAIC you will not declare a "major" and you will not be bound to work in a single discipline! Students have the creative freedom to explore and customize their education among our 18 departments, and are always free to choose the appropriate media to best realize their visions.

Online

Programs Offered Entirely Online
0
Offers Online Courses
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
0
Online Associates Programs
0
Online Bachelor's Programs
0
How Students Learn
  • Mix of Online and on Campus
    29%
  • On Campus
    69%
  • Online
    2%

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
2,596 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
223
Undergrads Over 25
6%
Pell Grant
20%
Varsity Athletes
No data available  
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 42 responses
  • Unique and creative
    36%
  • So unique they're not unique anymore
    24%
  • Variable
    17%
  • Weird and unique and nice and supportive
    10%
  • Some are pretentious, but the art makes up for it.
    7%
  • Weird
    7%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
83%
Poll
94%
of students say they don't have Greek life. 64 responses
Poll
96%
of students say no one pays attention to varsity sports. 68 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 44 responses
  • Conceptual and Progressive
    55%
  • Expensive, unique, conceptual, progressive
    23%
  • Expensive and somewhat elitist but unique
    14%
  • Not for everyone, but the best for me.
    7%
  • Current conceptual
    2%

Instagram Posts

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$33,500 / year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
67%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
83%
National
83%
71%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 35 responses

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Reviews

Rating 3.73 out of 5  739 reviews
Rating 5 out of 5  
Rating 5 out of 5  
Rating 4 out of 5  

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