School of the Art Institute of Chicago Description:

School of the Art Institute of Chicago is an independent school of art and design located in Chicago, Illinois. The urban campus sits in the heart of downtown Chicago in an area known as the Loop, minutes from the city’s array of cultural, social and recreational offerings and less than a mile off the coast of Lake Michigan. SAIC has a student faculty ratio of 10 to 1 and offers seven bachelor’s degree in the arts as well as 15 master’s degree programs.

Fine arts students make up the majority of both the undergraduate and graduate programs, with other popular areas of study including creative writing, visual and critical studies for undergraduates and the graduate program in art therapy. SAIC does not use a standard letter grading system instead having teachers grade on a credit/no credit system. Outside of class, students are active in a number of student-led clubs and organizations and on-campus art and cultural activities. SAIC does not sponsor any varsity athletics.

Will You Get In?

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Admissions Data (2013):

• Percent of Applicants Admitted: 72%
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 450 / 670
  • SAT Math: 450 / 670
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
  • ACT Composite: 18 / 28
  • ACT English: 20 / 31
  • ACT Math: 19 / 30
  • ACT Writing: 7 / 8
    • What these ACT numbers mean

Enrollment (2013):

• Total Enrollment: 3,402 (2,714 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 30% Male / 70% Female

• 91% Full-time

Scholarships for SAIC (powered by Cappex.com)

• Merit aid scholarships available at SAIC
• $1,000 High School Class of '15/'16 Scholarship
• Get matched with private scholarships to help pay for SAIC

Costs (2013 - 14):

• Tuition and Fees: $40,585
• Books: $1,740 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $14,190
• Other Expenses: $1,980
• Total Cost: $58,495

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Financial Aid (2012 - 13):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 99%
  • Loans: 41%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $12,397
  • Loans: $9,494

Most Popular Majors:

Studio Arts

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 82%
• Transfer Out Rate: 24%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 31%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 54%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Mission Statement:

mission statement from http://www.saic.edu/about/missionandgovernance/

"To provide excellence in the delivery of a global education in visual, design, media, and related arts, with attendant studies in the history and theory of those disciplines set within a broad-based humanistic curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences. To provide instruction for this education in a range of formats: written, spoken, media, and exhibition-based.