Placement Metric
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School of Art Institute of Chicago
N/A(0)
VerifiedPrivate (Not for Profit)Estd. 1866
Founded
1866
Type
Private (Not for Profit)
University Guide
About School of Art Institute of Chicago
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
School of Art Institute of Chicago is a charter member by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is home to over 3,100 students. Nearly 60 programs at School of Art Institute of Chicago are well designed with a combination of theoretical learning, practical activities, and industrial exposure to help students in achieving their career and academic goals.
The school is ranked #372 among the US colleges by Times Higher Education, 2022. About 31% of the total student body are international students, making it one of the most diverse places for studying abroad. International students need to demonstrate satisfactory SAT or ACT scores for admission to the university.
Highlights
| Established | 1886 |
| Type | Private |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Number of students enrolled at SAIC | 3,100+ |
| Acceptance Rate | 70% |
| Graduation Rate | 63% |
| Cost of Attendance | 66,700 USD |
| International Students | 31% |
| Student-Faculty ratio | 11:1 |
| Accommodation | Available |
| Campus Housing Capacity | 17% |
| Admission Helpdesk | [email protected] |
| Official Website | https://www.saic.edu/ |
School of Art Institute of Chicago Campus
SAIC has a beautiful campus in Illinois which is over a large area of land and occupies the iconic Michigan Avenue Building with on-campus accommodation facilities, air-conditioned classrooms, computer labs, libraries, eateries, game facilities. The campus classrooms are well equipped with all the facilities like free wi-fi, study area ensuring a comfortable and learning ambiance to the students.
The campus is at a prime location. All the major attractions of Chicago are at a walking distance from the campus. Students can explore the vibrant urban precincts, exciting nightlife, the outdoor lifestyle, and friendly locals. The college runs 60 student groups and organizations that conduct various activities for the development of students. Some of the activities include Latin Dancing, Yoga Classes, Philosophy Discussion, Art Critiques and more.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Accommodation
The School of Art Institute of Chicago provides on-campus accommodation facilities to the students. SAIC has residential halls that can accommodate 700 students. There is three on-campus residence hall available for the students, namely, Jones Hall, 162 North State Street Residence and The Buckingham.
The Buckingham Residence is the center of the city and offers apartment-style residence. The Jones Hall and 162 North State Street Residence offer single, double, triple occupancy bedrooms with all the facilities. Basic amenities provided at these residence halls include comfortable rooms, wardrobe, living room, kitchen, internet connection, refrigerator, etc. Off-campus housing in USA are also available, the school provides the required information and assistance about the off-campus accommodation facilities.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Programs
School of Art Institute of Chicago offers programs in 48 areas of study. Among the various programs at School of Art Institute of Chicago, five undergraduate and 14 graduate programs are currently provided. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio program is a course for students having a bachelor's degree. It facilitates students to develop artistic vision and technical proficiency. Historic Preservation Certificate provides knowledge of historic preservation research, documentation, material conservation, and practice.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Admission Process
- Application Portal: Applicants can apply through the Common Application or an online portal on the university's official website.
- Application Fees: 85 USD (Undergraduate Applicants), 90 USD (Graduate Applicants).
- Application Deadline: Application for SAIC admissions can be sent by:
- Fall Season - July 17
- Spring Season - January 1
- Required Documents:
- A completed application
- Official transcripts or high school records, diplomas, and certificates.
- English language proficiency
- Standardized Test Scores i.e.
- ACT/ SAT Score (For Undergraduate Courses)
- GRE (For Graduate Courses)
- Financial Documents, if applying for financial aids
- Additional Requirements:
- LOR
- Portfolio
- Resume
- Essay
- A valid passport
- Valid student visa
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants with a native language other than English need to prove their proficiency by providing scores of TOEFL/ IELTS/DET/PTE.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Cost of Attendance
The estimated cost of attendance depends on several factors like the program applied for, tuition fees, housing, dining, etc. The estimated expenses at the School of Art Institute of Chicago are:
| Expense | Cost in USD |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees For Undergraduate courses | 1666 per credit hour |
| Tuition Fees For Graduate courses | 1730 per credit hour |
| Room and Board | 15490 |
| Books and Supplies | 1770 |
| Other Expenses | 2020 |
School of Art Institute of Chicago Scholarship
School of Art Institute of Chicago provides financial aid in the form of many scholarships, grants, and loans. The institute also provides on-campus work opportunities to the international students, for up to 20 hours per week for Fall/Spring semester and 40 hours for Summer/Winter semester. International Students are eligible for merit-based scholarships and can also look for scholarships to study in the US outside SAIC.
SAIC grants multiple scholarships namely, Competitive Excellence Award, The Tuition Exchange Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. International students are advised to look for scholarships in their home country which may be beneficial for them.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Alumni
School of Art Institute of Chicago has a separate Alumni Association which registers the students once their graduation is completed. The alumni association arranges various employment workshops that enhance skills and provides career opportunities. The school provides a one-year free membership to the recent graduates, a discount of 5 USD on Gene Siskel Film Center for one year. It also provides access to the School of Art Institute of Chicago's John M. Flaxman Library. Some notable alumni are:
- Georgia O'Keeffe
- Elizabeth Murray
- David Sedaris
- Jeff Koons
- Gladys Nilsson
School of Art Institute of Chicago Placements
SAIC does not provide any on-campus placements facility, although it provides job opportunities for students by CAPX through the Handshake college-to-career portal and also through on-campus job fairs. CAPX provides various jobs and internships and also on-campus employment opportunities for its students. CAPX jobs and internships are provided either in person or remotely.
CAPX provides Jobs and Internships for undergraduates, graduates, transfer students, and international students. The Handshake portal offers 2,945 jobs and 1,569 internships. Students can make an appointment with the career advisor to learn more about career resources and various career events and connect themselves with employers and peers through the Handshake portal.
CAPX advisor also provides personalized coaching to develop challenging and returning career paths. It has partnerships with over 2,000 local, national, and international employers and Internship providers. Students from SAIC were hired in industries like Architecture/Urban Planning, Arts and Entertainment, Design, Education, Fashion and Textile, Marketing and Advertising, Museums and Libraries, Nonprofit/Philanthropy. Some of the companies that offers jobs and internships approved by CAPX are Apple, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Dolce Vita, Jurassic Studio, Kaleidoscope, Latin School of Chicago, McMaster-Carr, National Museum of Mexican Art.
Some of the areas of Jobs offered by CAPX are Animator, Architect, Art Instructor, Artist, Assistant Art Buyer, Cinematographer, Costume Designer, Creative Director, Graphic Designer, Operations Specialist, Overseas Advertising Producer, Photographer, Product Designer, etc.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
31
Fee from
₹29,01,593.7
Exams
IELTS · TOEFL
Showing 5 of 15 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 51.9 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 55,440 /Yr
Estimated Total₹783683
Admission Guide
Admission Process
School of Art Institute of Chicago Admission 2022
- Programs and Student Population: School of Art Institute of Chicago offers around 60 programs to the international students. Students can pick from more than 45 undergraduate programs and nearly 15 graduate programs at School of Art Institute of Chicago.
- Acceptance Rate: The university exhibits a lightly selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 70%. Students meeting the eligibility criteria stands a good chance of getting selected in the decision process.
- Admission Deadlines: The university accepts Early Action applications on November 15 and the regular application deadline is on April 15 for the fall semester.
- Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for SAIC include academic transcripts, completed application, artist’s statement, portfolio, and LOR for USA. Undergraduate applicants need to display satisfactory scores in SAT or ACT exams. Submission of GRE score is not mandatory for the graduate students.
Highlights
| Application portal | Common Application or University’s application portal |
| Application fee | International applicants: $85 Domestic applicants: $65 |
| Acceptance rate | 70% |
| ACT range | 22-30 |
| SAT range | 1110-1340 |
| Required Transcripts | High school transcript, GED, or equivalent |
| Academic Calendar | Semester – based |
| Mode of payment | Credit card |
| Financial aid | Available |
| Intake seasons | Fall and spring |
School of Art Institute of Chicago Admission Deadlines
| Fall | Spring | Deadline Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15 | N/A | Early Action and Priority Merit Scholarship Deadline |
| Apr 1 | Nov 1 | Final Merit Deadline |
| April 15 | Jan 1 | Final Application Deadline* |
*Applications received after these deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
School of Art Institute of Chicago International Student Admissions
School of Art Institute of Chicago is one of the most prestigious art schools in the world, which has welcomed international students to campus since its founding in 1866. International students come to SAIC to pursue UG and PG degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, and pre-college studies while in high school.SAIC defines an international student as a non-US citizen or a non-US permanent green cardholder. International students usually need an F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa to study in the United States.
Application Portal: Common Application or University Application Portal.
Application fee: $85
Admission Requirements:
- A completed application
- Portfolio
- Artist’s statement
- Official high school transcript
- SAT and ACT scores are required as mentioned below:
- SAT score of 560 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component
- SAT score of 500 for Critical Reading component
- ACT Reading score of 21
- LOR
English Proficiency Requirements
International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, ESL, and/or SAT scores to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum required scores by the university are:
| Test | Minimum Required Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 82 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 55 |
| Duolingo –110 | 55 |
Visa Process for International Students
International applicants can apply for the visa by the two most common ways:
- The F-1 Student Visa to study in the USA, which is used by most students.
- The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The US government requires that all international applicants provide SAIC with evidence of your ability to pay a full year of tuition and living expenses before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) may be issued. To apply for your I-20, you will need to prepare the following documents:
- Completed immigration and financial matters packet
- Bank statement showing the full year of available financing
- Copy of your passport biographical page
- International declaration of intent
School of Art Institute of Chicago Undergraduate Admissions
Undergraduate freshmen and transfer students have the same requirements except for the application portal. School of Art Institute of Chicago offers Undergraduate Admissions in Architecture, Art and Technology Studies, Ceramics, Fashion Design, Fiber and Material Studies, Painting and Drawing, Performance, Photography, Print Media, Sculpture, Sound and some other programs.
Application Portal: Applicants can apply through the Common Application Portal or Transfer Application Portal.
Application fee: $65
Undergraduate applicants need to submit the following requirements:
- Transcripts: Submit your high school transcript, GED, or equivalent transcript. Submit your transcript through the Common Application, email, or mail at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Undergraduate Admissions, 36 S. Wabash, suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60603.
- Standardized test scores: SAT or ACT scores are required for UG admission.
- Portfolio: Submit a portfolio that gives us a sense of you, your interests, and your willingness to experiment, explore, and think beyond technical skills. It is used for providing merit scholarships.
- Artist's Statement: Applicants are required to submit an essay in 250-500 words. Applicants have to write about why university enrolls them in the program and applicants can tell about themselves and their work with the help of essays.
- Letter of Recommendation: Submit a letter of recommendation written by an instructor or other expert who can evaluate your motivation, commitment, maturity, and ability to succeed at SAIC. It should contain the applicant’s full name and date of birth. Your recommender may submit in the following ways:
- Electronically through the Common Application
- Fax to 312.629.6101
- Email to [email protected]
- Mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
School of Art Institute of Chicago Graduate Admissions
School of Art Institute of Chicago offers Graduate Admissions in Architecture, Arts, Design, Fine arts in studio, science, and some other graduate programs.
Application portal: Online graduate application portal
Application fee: $90
The application consists of two parts.
Application Form: Includes basic information, transcripts, test scores (if applicable). You will also select programs of interest. Payment will be collected at the end of this section and will cover the cost of each program you apply for.
| Courses | Master of Architecture | MA in New Arts Journalism | MA in Visual and Critical Studies | Master of Design in Fashion, Body, and Garment | Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official college transcript | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Statement of purpose | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| 2 letter of recommendation | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| ePortfolio | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Interview | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Resume | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| English Proficiency Tests Scores | TOEFL-100 IELTS-7 |
TOEFL-100 IELTS-7 |
TOEFL-100 IELTS-7 |
TOEFL-85 IELTS-6.5 |
TOEFL-85 IELTS-6.5 |
For each program you selected in the application form, you will have a corresponding e-portfolio of requirements based on that program. The generation of E-Portfolios may be delayed by up to 20 minutes so you may need to reload the page. GPA is not significant for admission but standardized test scores are necessary for admission.
Placements & Recruiters
School of Art Institute of Chicago Placement Details
School of Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric
Average Package
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Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2017
Highlights
2017
2017
- Design: #5 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Design
- 1 ranking record in 2017
2018
Highlights
2018
2018
- Design: #5 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Design
- 1 ranking record in 2018
2019
Highlights
2019
2019
- Design: #4 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Design
- 1 ranking record in 2019
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Design: #5 in country
- Top source: QS
- 2 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Arts, Design
- 1 ranking record in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Fine Arts: #2 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Fine Arts
- 1 ranking record in 2025