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School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Overview

At a Glance

School type

Private, not-for-profit, 4-year or above

School Size & Setting

Large | Urban

Students-to-Faculty Ratio

5:1

Religious affliation

Not applicable

Mission Statement

To establish and conduct comprehensive programs of education including preparation of visual artists, teachers of art, and designers; to provide education services in written, spoken and media formats. (Excerpted from the Art Institute of Chicago's Corporate Charter.)

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cost & financial aid

Annual tuition & fees

Undergraduate

In state

$50,623

Out of state

$50,623
Graduate

In state

$45,601

Out of state

$45,601

Financial Aid: Undergraduates

Received financial aid
93%
Type of aid % of students receiving aid Average amount
Federal grants 23.0% $5,068
State/local grants 7.0% $5,303
Institutional grants 93.0% $18,561
Loans 46.0% $11,135

Other Estimated Costs

Housing

$15,980 per year

Books & Supplies

$2,320 per year

Personal Expenses

$2,000 per year

Financial aid resources

Paying for college

Learn about different ways to cover costs, incluing financial aid, GI Bills, grants and scholarships

Applying for financial Aid

Review this step-by-step guide on everything you need to do to complete your application.

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Academics

Most Popular Undergraduate majors

  • Fine/Studio Arts, General
  • Creative Writing
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  • Interior Architecture
Full List of Majors

Undergraduate Majors X

  • ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES
    • Interior Architecture
      • A program that prepares individuals to apply architectural principles in the design of structural interiors for living, recreational, and business purposes and to function as professional interior architects. Includes instruction in architecture, structural systems design, heating and cooling systems, occupational and safety standards, interior design, specific end-use applications, and professional responsibilities and standards. See other colleges that offer this major
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS
    • Creative Writing
      • A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Visual and Performing Arts, General
      • A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fine/Studio Arts, General
      • A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, color theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Art History, Criticism and Conservation
      • A program that focuses on the study of the historical development of art as social and intellectual phenomenon, the analysis of works of art, and art conservation. Includes instruction in the theory of art, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes. See other colleges that offer this major

Most Popular Graduate programs

  • Fine/Studio Arts, General
  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  • Art Therapy/Therapist
  • Art Teacher Education
  • Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
Full List of Programs

Graduate ProgramsX

  • ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES
    • Interior Architecture
      • A program that prepares individuals to apply architectural principles in the design of structural interiors for living, recreational, and business purposes and to function as professional interior architects. Includes instruction in architecture, structural systems design, heating and cooling systems, occupational and safety standards, interior design, specific end-use applications, and professional responsibilities and standards. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
      • A program that focuses on the application of advanced technology to building design and construction, retrofitting existing buildings, and efficient operation of buildings, including lighting and daylight design, acoustics, solar design, building conservation, and energy-conscious design. Includes instruction in architecture, building technology, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental control systems, sustainability, and computer tools and applications. See other colleges that offer this major
  • COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS
    • Creative Writing
      • A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts. See other colleges that offer this major
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS
    • Art Therapy/Therapist
      • A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders. Includes instruction in art, history and theory of art therapy, art therapeutic techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment and diagnosis, cultural diversity issues, legal and ethical practice issues, and professional standards and regulations. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Visual and Performing Arts, General
      • A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fashion/Apparel Design
      • A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. Includes instruction in apparel design; accessory design; the design of men's', women's', and children's' wear; flat pattern design; computer-assisted design and manufacturing; concept planning; designing in specific materials; labor and cost analysis; history of fashion; fabric art and printing; and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Design and Applied Arts, Other
    • Fine/Studio Arts, General
      • A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, color theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Art History, Criticism and Conservation
      • A program that focuses on the study of the historical development of art as social and intellectual phenomenon, the analysis of works of art, and art conservation. Includes instruction in the theory of art, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fine and Studio Arts Management
      • A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage fine and studio art organizations, operations, and facilities. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing and fundraising; personnel management and labor relations; event promotion and management; public relations and arts advocacy; arts law; and applications to specific arts activities such as galleries, museums, studios, foundations, and community organizations. See other colleges that offer this major
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Admissions

Undergraduate acceptance rate

Acceptance rate
80.98%
  • Apply 5,835
  • Accepted 4,725
  • Attend 669

Application Fee

Undergraduate
$65
Graduate
$45

Undergraduate application requirements

  • High school transcript

    Required
  • High school GPA

    Not applicable
  • Recommendation letter

    Required
  • Admissions test
    (SAT or ACT)

    Not applicable
  • TOEFL
    (international students)

    Required
  • Completion of college
    prep program

    Not applicable
  • Demonstration of
    competencies

    Required
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Student Life

Student Demographics

Female Students
75%
Male Students
25%

Student Ethnicities
  1. Caucasian37.26%
  2. Two Or More Ethnicities33.6%
  3. Hispanic/Latino10.4%
  4. Asian9.33%
  5. Not Specified4.72%
  6. Black4.52%
  7. American Indian/Alaska Native0.14%
  8. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0.03%

Student body breakdown

Total students enrolled

3,512

Undergraduate students

2,796

Graduate students

716

Full Time Students
90%
Part Time Students
10%

Student services

  • Meal plan
  • Counseling services
  • Remedial services
  • Work-study
  • Placement services
  • Study abroad
  • Weekend/evening classes
  • On-campus day care for student's children
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