
37 South Wabash, Chicago, IL 60603-3103, USA


The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is primarily focused on arts education and does not have a traditional collegiate athletics program. Instead, the institution emphasizes creative and visual disciplines, offering a wide range of art and design courses without competitive sports teams. Prospective students interested in athletics should consider that the school's environment centers around artistic development rather than organized sports.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a variety of student organizations that cater to diverse interests and communities. Among these are the Student Association/Student Union Galleries, which provide platforms for student-curated exhibitions and collaborative projects. The Korean Student Association fosters cultural connection and support for Korean students on campus. Students interested in faith-based fellowship can join InterVarsity, a Christian student organization. The Curatorial Community brings together students focused on curatorial practices and exhibition planning. Additionally, the Xerox Candy Bar serves as a social hub for students to relax and engage with peers.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago enrolls a diverse student body reflecting a variety of age groups and backgrounds. Among undergraduates, the largest segments are young adults aged 18 to 21, with 1,058 students aged 18-19 and 980 aged 20-21. There are also significant numbers of students in their early to mid-20s, with 514 aged 22-24 and smaller groups spanning older age ranges, including 109 students aged 25-29 and 33 aged 30-34. Graduate students generally tend to be older, with concentrations between ages 22 and 49; notably, 176 graduate students are aged 22-24, 242 are 25-29, and 89 fall within 30-34 years old. The graduate population even includes several students aged 50 and above.
In terms of new enrollments, the institution admits an average-sized freshman class of 676 students, which places it in the lower 45 percent compared to other institutions. Transfer students number 108, also reflecting an average volume relative to peer schools. Overall, the combined incoming students total 784, ranking similarly in the bottom 40 percent nationally for average cohort size.
The ethnic composition at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago skews toward a balanced, though modestly represented, mix of groups. White students form the largest identified group with 944 individuals. Hispanic students number 327, while Asian students are relatively prominent with 303 individuals, nearing the institution's median for ethnic representation. African American students count 135. Smaller groups include students identifying with two or more races (132), and a few Native American and Pacific Islander students, each representing only a single individual. Nearly 100 students' racial categories remain unspecified. These figures suggest the school maintains an ethnically varied student community, though many groups are positioned in the lower half of comparative nationwide diversity percentiles.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a campus environment enriched with various media and performing arts opportunities. Students have access to a campus newspaper, drama productions, campus radio, and a campus television station, providing diverse channels for creative expression and involvement. However, the school does not support formal ensembles such as a campus band or chorus.
Health services are available on campus, including a health clinic and psychological counseling, which can support students' well-being during their studies. On the other hand, legal services, veterans affairs office, and a women's center are not provided within the campus resources.
In terms of community size, the campus is relatively small, and the student-to-faculty ratio is low at about 10 to 1, suggesting more personalized academic attention compared to many institutions. The total enrollment is moderate, with just over three thousand students, and the institution hosts a diverse international population representing 45 countries. This international presence enriches the campus culture, exposing students to a variety of perspectives.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago provides access to two libraries, including its primary facility, The John M. Flaxman Library. This number of libraries is about average compared to other institutions, placing the school in the top half nationally for library availability.
While the total number of volumes is somewhat limited, with approximately 109,591 books, the collections include over 900 subscriptions to academic journals and other periodicals. The library holds a modest collection of eBooks, with about 118,000 titles, although this figure ranks in the lower quartile among peer institutions.
Students benefit from both physical and digital access to library resources. The facilities are staffed by trained personnel, ensuring that users can receive proper support when conducting research or seeking study materials. Established hours provide consistent availability, although there is no provision for all-day access.
Additionally, users have the advantage of access to shared collections, which can supplement the on-site materials and broaden research possibilities beyond the immediate holdings. Overall, while the library resources are modest in quantity, the combination of physical materials, digital access, and professional support offers a balanced environment for study and creative inquiry.
Total enrollment
3401Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
675Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
128 full time, 601 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
The John M. Flaxman LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes