Kansas City Art Institute
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Kansas City Art Institute is a private nonprofit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri with approximately 782 undergraduate students enrolled. Kansas City Art Institute has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 60%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,555 per year. The graduation rate is 65%, and the typical graduate earns $33,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is a private art school in Kansas City, Missouri. The college was founded in 1885 and is an accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and Higher Learning Commission. The institute has approximately 75 faculty members and 700 students, and offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 65% graduation rate and median earnings of just $33,200 a decade out raise real questions about return on investment, especially with a net price of nearly $30,000 per year. That said, KCAI is a focused, accredited art school with a long track record (founded in 1885) and a relatively modest debt load at graduation ($21,500), which softens the financial risk somewhat. Worth considering if you're committed to a BFA path and want a small, dedicated art school community — but go in with eyes open about the earning realities of an art-focused career.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (782 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO · Public
Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO · Public
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO · Public
Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO · Public
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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