School of Art Institute of Chicago, [SAIC] Chicago, Illinois

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36 South Wabash Ave #1201, Chicago, IL 60603
Estd 1866

Updated on - Dec 13th, 2021 | 04:52 PM By Archana S

Overview Content

The School of Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a pioneer in educating the world's leading artists, designers, and scholars. It is a distinguished private art and design school known for its excellence in arts. Chicago Fine Arts Degree Program is ranked 2nd in the U.S. Nation according to U.S. News Sources.

When was the School of Art Institute of Chicago Established?

Established as the Chicago Academy of Design in 1866, the Chicago School of Art Institute provides students with challenging education in studio arts and exhibition opportunities.

Where is SAIC?

SAIC has held its own state-of-the-art facilities next to the Museum and the Heralded New Wing overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan, with additional buildings on the entire urban campus in the center of the Chicago Loop.

SAIC Accreditation

The School of Art Institute Chicago (SAIC) is a professional college of visual and related arts, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1936 and by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design till 1948.

Education at SAIC

SAIC is one of the largest accredited independent art and design colleges in the world providing undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degrees. It offers programs in 48 areas of study in disciplines such as animation, architecture, economics, and more.

Why Choose SAIC?

SAIC received about 3,683 applications in the Fall of 2019 out of which 33% are international students. It is renowned for excellence in arts. The Fine Arts course at SAIC is one of the top-ranked courses in the world. Find below some of the reasons to pursue studies at SAIC:

Total Enrollment 3,132
Total Faculty and Staff 835
International Students  33%
SAIC’s Alum Community Fund More than $140,000

Faculties and Departments at SAIC

SAIC has the imaginative freedom to explore and customize education within the 24 departments or to focus on a single medium. Some of the faculties and academic departments at SAIC are below:

Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects Visual and Critical Studies
Art History, Theory, and Criticism Ceramics
Contemporary Practices Fashion Design
Fiber and Material Studies The Film, Video, New Media, and Animation
Historic Preservation Liberal Arts
New Arts Journalism Sculpture

Financial Aid & Scholarships at SAIC

Each year, SAIC offers a large number of undergraduate, merit-based scholarships to new students. All applicants who have successfully completed the admissions process during the priority span are automatically eligible for merit scholarships. Students considered to be eligible for a scholarship may receive one of the scholarships listed below:

Types of Merit Scholarship

  • Presidential office
  • Distinguished:
  • Honour
  • Recognition
  • Incentive

The details of other funding options available at SAIC are given below:

Competitive Excellence Award: This $2,000 renewable scholarship may be awarded to incoming first-year students for participation in one of the following art exhibits or competitions.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Admitted Phi Theta Kappa applicants will be entitled to receive a $2,000 PTK scholarship each academic year via the admission process once the PTK status has been confirmed.

Student Services at SAIC

Student-led organizations provide students of the Chicago School of Art Institute (SAIC) with an opportunity to engage with their peers, faculty, and staff outside the classroom. Through these organizations, students can engage and influence the SAIC culture, improve the academic and social experience of their peers, and gain valuable leadership experience. Listed below are a few student services offered at SAIC:

  • Campus Life and Involvement
  • Campus Security
  • Career and Professional Experience
  • Housing and Residence Life
  • Dining Services
  • Environmental Health and Safety

University Stats

Student Population at the School of Art Institute of Chicago

In the fall of 2018, there were a total of 5,993 students enrolled at SAIC, out of which 3,536 were admitted to the undergraduate program. Currently, there are 2,895 undergraduate students and 745 graduate students. The detailed student enrollment at SAIC is shown below:

Undergraduate Students 2,487
Graduate Students 645 
Male: Female Ratio  25:75
Acceptance Rate 70%

School of Art Institute of Chicago Rankings

SAIC consistently ranks among the top 220 graduate programs in fine arts in the U.S. News and World Studies. There are a variety of honors, each of which has its own criteria for achievement. Listed below are a few School of Art Institute of Chicago rankings by several national and international ranking agencies:

  • Listed #8 arts and design programs in the world by QS World University Rankings.
  • Columbia University's Art Critics National Arts Journalism Survey "The most influential art school in the United States"
  • Awarded the 2016 Active Minds Safe Campus Award-Active Minds
  • Honored with the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for four consecutive years (2014–17) of Insight Into Diversity Magazine
  • SAIC #1 at the top 25 animation schools in the Midwest in 2017, Animation Career Summary
  • Fashion Design Program at the top 50 international levels in 2013.
  • Graduate Interior Design Program #6 in 2013 in the United States, Design Intelligence.

Student-Faculty Ratio

11:1

Male-Female Ratio

27:73

International Students

1,204

Total Enrolment

3,911


Admission Details

How can I get into the School of Art Institute of Chicago?

Chicago School of Art is one of the most prestigious art schools in the world and has invited international students to campus since its establishment in 1866. International students come to SAIC to obtain UG and PG degrees, post-baccalaureate and pre-college studies while in high school. SAIC describes an international student as a non-US resident or a non-US permanent green cardholder. The School of Art Institute of Chicago admission requirements are given below:

  • Completed application
  • Portfolio
  • Official transcript of high school
  • SAT and ACT test scores
  • SAT score 560 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion
  • SAT score 500 for the Critical Reading component
  • ACT Reading Score 21
  • Recommendation letter

Acceptance Rate

Minimum Score
TOEFL Requirements

Min. 82


Minimum Score
IELTS Requirements

Min. 6.5


Application Website


Accepts Direct Application

yes


Accepts Common Application

Yes


Total Applications

5,686


Average Tuition Fees

The School of Art Institute of Chicago tuition fees varies for domestic and international students. The amount can vary depending on the course chosen, the quality of the accommodation, and the candidate's personal spending habits. Below are the average tuition fees details for international students at SAIC:

Degree Type Tuition Fees
Diploma -
Undergraduate $49,980
Post Graduate $51,900

Application Details

Applicants can apply through an online portal on the School of Art Institute of Chicago's official website. An application fee of $85 applies for undergraduate applicants and $90 for graduate applicants. The application for SAIC admissions can be submitted by:

  • Fall Season: 17th July
  • Spring Season: 1 January
Events Dates
Application Deadline
2022-11-01

Other Fees

What is the Annual Average Cost to attend the School of Art Institute of Chicago?

Additional fees at SAIC may include housing, food, books and supplies, and personal expenses. Below are some of the other School of Art Institute of Chicago fees for international students:

  • Books & Supplies: $1,770/ Year
  • Room & Board: $13,890/ Year
  • Other Expenses: $2,020/ Year
Average Annual Tuition Fees
$51,900
Average Accommodation
$13,890
Application Fees
$85

Courses Fees

The School of Art Institute of Chicago course fees varies based on the type and level of the program. The courses are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The estimated fee details of some of the popular courses offered at SAIC are given below:

  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Visual and Critical Studies: $49,980
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts [B.F.A] in Fashion Design: $49,980
  • Master of Fine Arts [M.F.A] in Architecture: $51,900
  • Master of Arts [M.A] in New Arts Journalism: $51,900

Bachelor Courses:

Master Courses:

Bachelor of Arts [B.A]

Course Fees: $49980


Bachelor of Fine Arts [B.F.A]

Course Fees: $49980


Master of Fine Arts [M.F.A]

Course Fees: $51900


Master of Arts [M.A]

Course Fees: $51900


Bachelor of Architecture [B.Arch]

Course Fees: $49980


View All Courses


Contact Information

The School of Art Institute of Chicago address is at 36 South Wabash Ave #1201, Chicago, IL 60603. Find below the location and other contact information of SAIC:

Chicago, Illinois

Location

+1-800-2327242

Contact No

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