Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$51,606
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $52,604 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $52,604 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $16,100 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,380 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | Yes |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$18,290
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,216
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$17,399
5%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5,291
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,216
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$36,538,197
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
41%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,796
Students receiving federal loans
40%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,567
Average Other Loans Per Year
$31,297
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,000
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$248
What Students Are Saying
This school costs a fortune and a half, but you can not get anything better for you money. I can not tell you how many times I have heard a transfer student say that they wished they hadn't wasted all their money on the art school they went before because they hated it or weren't learning anything. I have not heard one person complain about SAIC. Students and faculty enjoy SAIC and Chicago. It is offering everything you need to succeed in the art school once you are done with your education!
Cassie from Papillion, NE
SAIC is one of the most expensive art schools on the market, but they are very generous with financial aid. I attended an SAIC event and they waived my application fee. I also received a merit scholarship for my portfolio worth about $71.5 thousand. Say what?! SAIC students get the advantage of a "U-Pass" that allows students to use Chicago transportation for much less (saving about $200 a year on transport). This school has a ton of extremely expensive and high-quality technology that most students are allowed to use regardless of whether they are enrolled in the course, including animation and recording suites, darkrooms, cameras, puppet studios, etc. Museum admission is free and students get exclusive hands-on access to collections not on display. Additionally, SAIC is really on top of internships, which are required and not very competitive (more internships than students). Job connections after graduation are also very good, I hear.
Sarah from MA
there are cheap places to eat and drink, as well as expensive ones. if you're over 21, there's a bar called big joe's that has live turtle racing, and pitchers of beer for $8.
Maria from Irmo, SC
It's very expensive. If you don't have a scholarship of at least 10K you are probably paying way too much to come to this school. It's a fabulous school and you are getting an education you pay for if you want it. But a lot of kids are trust fund babies and will spend four years just messing around because they don't understand what a great resource this school is.
Dana from Evansville, IN
It is incredibly expensive. But it is one of the best art schools in the country and having that name on your degree will help open doors in the art world.
Sydnee from Chicago, IL
One of my best friends here once said that she thought SAIC was halfway worth it, and I'm inclined to agree with her--it comes with a very high price tag, but the skills you learn are absolutely indispensable for the serious career artist.
Kristine from Salida, CA
It is true that SAIC is a huge expense. I will be honest, in a lot of ways coming here is a gamble. But there is financial aid available, there are scholarships, (shout out to Appily.com!) and it isn't hard to get a job. Especially when you can put on your resume you went to such an influential conceptual school. There really is no other accredited school like SAIC out there, and having successful working contemporary artists as your instructors is an advantage that would be hard to pass up, especially when they are all so willing to give you advice!
Brianna from Chicago, IL
You get out what you put in. This school is too expensive to go to just to party and take easy classes.
Katherine from Clinton, MO
Expensive, but adequate financial aid is available.
Glen from Chicago, IL
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