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79.0%Acceptance
$54,530Tuition
2,762Students
64%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$40,151Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Cost Details

In-State Tuition
$54,530
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,530
Average Net Price
$49,822
Students Receiving Financial Aid
19.1%
Room & Board (On Campus)
$16,100
Room & Board (Off Campus)
$10,370
Books & Supplies
$2,380
Total Cost of Attendance
$73,010
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$286/mo
Loan Repayment Rate
61.0%
Students Taking Federal Loans
37.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
19.1%

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Net price by family income bracket
Family Income Average Net Price
$0 – $30,000 $43,080
$30,001 – $48,000 $45,357
$48,001 – $75,000 $48,571
$75,001 – $110,000 $52,086
$110,001+ $55,898

Cost Estimator

Family Income
Residency
Housing

Cost Overview

Families actually pay an average of $49,822 per year after aid, though costs vary dramatically by income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay $43,080 annually, while those from households above $110,000 pay $55,898. Over four years, expect to spend between $172,000 and $224,000 depending on your family's finances.

SAIC students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, translating to $286 monthly loan payments. That's a manageable burden considering the school's reputation as a launching pad for creative careers, though graduates earn a modest $40,151 ten years out. Only 19% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting most come from middle to upper-middle-class families. Another 24% receive institutional grants averaging $18,290.

Lower-income students get the best deal here, paying roughly $12,000 less annually than wealthy families while accessing the same strong faculty and Chicago's active arts scene.

Official Net Price Calculator

Get a personalized cost estimate from School of the Art Institute of Chicago:

Visit Official Net Price Calculator

This links to the school's federally-required net price calculator for a personalized estimate.