School of the Art Institute of Chicago: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Chicago, Illinois · Private nonprofit · Open access
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School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private nonprofit university in Chicago, Illinois that admits about 77% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $49,790 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Fine and Studio Arts, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and Visual and Performing Arts, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private institution located in Chicago, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, School of the Art Institute of Chicago admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $49,790 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores School of the Art Institute of Chicago typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
How much does School of the Art Institute of Chicago actually cost?
Published tuition is $56,420 for in-state students and $56,420 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,550 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $49,790 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
Most popular majors at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The most popular undergraduate programs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Fine and Studio Arts, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and Visual and Performing Arts, General. Across all programs, School of the Art Institute of Chicago confers roughly 608 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Fine and Studio Arts program report a median income of about $36,916 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts | 589 | $36,916 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 11 | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 8 | — |
Is School of the Art Institute of Chicago safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), School of the Art Institute of Chicago disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 7 violent offenses and 0 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
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Common questions parents ask about School of the Art Institute of Chicago
What GPA do I need for School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does School of the Art Institute of Chicago typically admit?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does School of the Art Institute of Chicago actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at School of the Art Institute of Chicago after grants and scholarships is $49,790 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $56,420. Budget against the net figure.
Is School of the Art Institute of Chicago realistic for my child?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago admits 77% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $49,790 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago accepts about 77% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is School of the Art Institute of Chicago a public or private school, and where is it located?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private nonprofit institution located in Chicago, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?
The largest undergraduate majors at School of the Art Institute of Chicago by annual graduates are Fine and Studio Arts, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and Visual and Performing Arts, General. The school awards about 608 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is School of the Art Institute of Chicago safe? What is its campus crime rate?
School of the Art Institute of Chicago reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers