Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
School of the Art Institute of Chicago logo

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL·Private nonprofit·2,762 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 2,762 students.

76%
Accept
2,762
Students
$49,822
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$40,800
Earnings
10 yr
$19,000
Debt

About This School

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private nonprofit institution located in Chicago, Illinois with approximately 2,762 undergraduate students enrolled. School of the Art Institute of Chicago has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 76%. The average net price after financial aid is $49,822 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $40,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is the private art school of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) in Chicago, Illinois.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: while median debt at graduation is a reasonable $19,000, graduates earn just $40,800 a decade out — a tight margin for students paying nearly $50,000 per year after aid. The 64% graduation rate is also worth scrutinizing, suggesting a meaningful share of students don't finish. That said, SAIC is a serious, well-connected art institution with direct ties to one of the country's premier art museums, making it a compelling choice for highly motivated students who have a clear creative career path and a realistic financial plan.

Founded
1866
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts98%
English2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Orson WellesHugh HefnerEd HarrisKim NovakLara Flynn BoyleGrant WoodJeff KoonsShulamith FirestoneShel SilversteinMelinda DillonBruce BoxleitnerApichatpong Weerasethakul

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$54,530
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,530
Avg Net Price
$49,822
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants19%
Median debt at graduation$19,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
82%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$28,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.1x

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

White34%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino12%
Asian11%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,762 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

36 S Wabash

Chicago, IL 60603

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Illinois

Browse all Illinois schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.