About

University Type

Private

University Type

Average Living Expenses

$53,030

Average Living Expenses

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a reputed private art school founded in 1866. It is located in the developed city of Chicago, Illinois. The institute has received various accreditations since its establishment. It has been accredited by Higher Learning Commission since 1936 and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design since 1991. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been among the prestigious members of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1944 and developed a high reputation in the community. 

School of the Art Institute of Chicago courses comprises more than 48 fields of programmes. It consists of five bachelor's and fourteen master's programmes for the students. The graduate, post-baccalaureate and undergraduate programmes are designed with an interdisciplinary curriculum to allow creative and innovative freedom for the designers, scholars, and artists. There are 3,600 students on the campus approximately with a population of 1,200 international students.

Top Reasons to Study in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

SAIC is one of the highest historical affiliated independent institutions of art and design in the country. The college is dedicated to providing liberal arts, arts, and design education opportunities to all its students. 

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago scholarships are based on merit. The students have to showcase extravagant levels of thoughtfulness, conceptual capabilities, academic skills, and creativity. The university provides scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate levels. 
  • The university has established and maintains highly certified relationships and exchange partnerships with other schools all around the world. 

Courses

Cost of Studying at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Average tuition fee

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Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$74,450

Average living expenses (Masters)

$53,030

Admissions at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

81%

Application Fee

$45 - $90


How to Apply at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  • To apply for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the students must register at the portal.
  • The students must submit personal details and portfolios electronically through SlideRoom to apply for their desired courses.
  • The portfolio requires the students to showcase 10-15 best and most recent works, showcase interests, skills, and creative potential, work in the preferred medium, and the range of work from abstract to observational, and submit present portfolio assignments. 
  • Students must post a dedicated portfolio for merit scholarship requirements. 
  • submit other supporting documents and assessments to support the application. 

Note: Application Portal: Online application portal 

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Application fee: For undergraduate: 85 USD (6,600 INR)
Graduate: 90 USD (7,000 INR)

Explore More: Admission requirement in USA


Documents Required to Apply to School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  • Letter of recommendation
  • Artist statement 
  • Resume 
  • English proficiency test scores
  • Standardised entrance test scores like the ACT, SAT, and GMAT
  • Updated Portfolio 
  • Copy of passport 

Exams Accepted By School of the Art Institute of Chicago

To fulfil the School of the Art Institute of Chicago admission requirements, the students must showcase the following skills in the standardised entrance test scores.

Exams

Minimum Requirements

SAT

1120 to 1360

ACT

22 to 29

PTE

65

GMAT

500

GRE

293

English Proficiency Requirements 

The students have to acquire the following English language proficiency skills in reading and writing sections.

Test

Minimum Requirements 

TOEFL

Internet Based: 82

IELTS

6.5

Duolingo 

110 


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Students School of the Art Institute of Chicago

9

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6

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24

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International Students

% of international students in the university

33

Total International Students in the university

1213


Alumni at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a vast community of artists and creators working to make a difference in their community. Some of the notable artists and designers from SAIC are Sarah Vowell, Sterling Ruby, Jeffrey Gibson, Paul Chan, Tania Bruguera, Cynthia Rowley, and Victor Skrebneski.

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Campus life

Campus locations
Illinois

View on Google Earth


Transportation in the city

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago provides a Ventra/Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass for full-time students at the campus. The pass allows free and unlimited bus and rail transportation for winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters. It is mandatory for full-time students and is valid three days after the semester ends and four days before the start of the new semester.


Services offered by the university

  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is well acquitted with all the necessary facilities that the students may need. 
  • SAIC has initiated a Food Pantry to provide food service to the students in need during emergency scenarios. 
  • LeRoy Neiman Center is a hall that brings the community of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago into the urban setting of Chicago. It consists of a street-level space for galleries, a video wall, and an event space for informal gatherings. 
  • SAIC offers the students a dining experience with sustainability. The cafes are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service including late evening snacks and dining. 
  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago issues U-Pass for travel and ARTICard for the identification card. 
  • SAIC has a multicultural affair, a facility that collaborates with students of different departments to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, inclusion, identities, experiences, and diverse perspectives.

Student life at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago campus includes seven buildings located close to the AIC building.

  • SAIC provides the students the opportunity to connect with other peers, students, staff, and faculty members by participating in and forming associations and clubs on the campus.
  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago campus conducts seasonal art sales and allows the general public to shop the artworks created by hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students.

On campus accomodation at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago provides on campus accommodations opportunities for the students. The students can find off-campus accommodation near the campus with the guidance and help of the college authorities. 

  • The residence halls are located close to the main campus.
  • There are three residence halls available for the students namely Jones Hall, The Buckingham, and 162 North State Street Residence. 
  • The halls can offer accommodation for 700 students.
  • The Jones Hall and 162 North State Street Residence feature single, double, and triple bedroom rooms with all the basic amenities. 
  • The Buckingham residence features an apartment-style living for the students. 

Check: Cost of studying in USA

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Faculty Information

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FAQ

1. What are the average tuition fees of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
The average School of the Art Institute of Chicago tuition fee for international students is 53,000 USD (41,50,000 INR) per year. 

2. What are GPA requirements for enrollment at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago's GPA requirement is 3.51 and the students must be above average in their high school/ higher secondary qualifications. 

3. Does the School of the Art Institute of Chicago offer courses in distance learning or online learning?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago provides online courses for students to get a grasp on their art journey.

4. What is the acceptance rate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's acceptance rate is 70% with a highly selective selection process. 

5. Does the School of the Art Institute of Chicago offer student exchange programmes?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago exchange programmes are available for students who maintain the credit of 30 points in their bachelor's degree.