School of the Art Institute of Chicago logo

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL·Private·www.saic.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeGraduate Programs

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small private nonprofit university in Chicago, IL. Approximately 2,805 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, just 1 mile from the water. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 64/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small private nonprofit university in Chicago, IL. Approximately 2,805 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, just 1 mile from the water. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 64/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

77%
Acceptance Rate
6,626 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$56,420
2024-25 Tuition
$49,790
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$16,550
Room & Board
2,805
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
12%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
67%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity77% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a 1,000–4,999, urban school. The campus is 25 miles from Four Lakes.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

25 miles

Four Lakes

Weather

Cold Climate

44°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Four Lakes, 25 miles away with 7 lifts and 9 skiable acres. All are within 52 miles of campus.

Four Lakes

Illinois

25 mi away
9 skiable acres7 lifts
32 mi away
15 skiable acres7 lifts
52 mi away
135 skiable acres11 lifts

Lake Life Campus

Lake Michigan is less than a mile from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving School of the Art Institute of Chicago students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Michigan

Lake access within 0.8 miles

1 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Chicago, IL

Chicago has a cool climate, with winters averaging 26°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.

26°Jan29°Feb38°Mar48°Apr58°May68°Jun74°Jul74°Aug67°Sep54°Oct43°Nov31°Dec

Station: CHICAGO NORTHERLY ISLAND · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

School of the Art Institute of Chicago in IL earns a composite safety score of 64/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

64/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety687539
68/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
75/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$56,420
Fees
$960
Room & Board
$16,550
Total
$73,930
App Fee: $65
$49,790avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

20 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's
581 grads/yr$45,602
Fine and Studio ArtsMaster's
166 grads/yr$47,355
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMaster's
23 grads/yr$52,952
Design and Applied ArtsMaster's
22 grads/yr
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's
20 grads/yr$42,100

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Architecture
Master's$74,629
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's20 grads$58,809
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Master's23 grads$52,952
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's166 grads$47,355
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's581 grads$45,602
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Master's20 grads$42,100
Design and Applied Arts
Master's22 grads
Architectural Sciences and Technology
Master's17 grads
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Bachelor's13 grads
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Master's11 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is School of the Art Institute of Chicago located?

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL. The main campus address is 36 S Wabash, Chicago, IL. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

School of the Art Institute of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 77%, making it accessible. Out of 6,626 applicants, 5,133 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,805 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

For the 2024-25 academic year, School of the Art Institute of Chicago charges $56,420/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,550/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $53,160/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $49,790/year — what students actually pay. Use School of the Art Institute of Chicago's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

The undergraduate application fee at School of the Art Institute of Chicago is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is School of the Art Institute of Chicago the right fit for me?

Whether School of the Art Institute of Chicago is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (77% admit rate), avg net price ($49,790/year after aid), campus culture in Chicago, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh School of the Art Institute of Chicago against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with School of the Art Institute of Chicago directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Chicago, IL
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
School Year Weather
Cold · 44°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
64/100
Nearest Airport
Chicago, IL (MDW) · 9 mialso ORD (16 mi), GYY (21 mi)

Location

Chicago, IL

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.