School of the Art Institute of Chicago

What is the cost of studying for a year at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

SAIC is a private institution, so the reported undergraduate tuition is the same for Illinois residents and out-of-state students. For 2024-25, the reported full-time undergraduate tuition was $53,643, with $980 in required fees. That puts tuition and required fees at $54,623 for that reporting year, before living and other expenses.

• 2024-25 full-time undergraduate tuition: $53,643.
• 2024-25 required undergraduate fees: $980.
• Reported books and supplies estimate: $1,830.
• Reported part-time undergraduate tuition: $1,848 per credit hour.

A separate, more recent 2026 listing places full-time tuition at $57,240; it should not be added to the 2024-25 fee or expense figures as though they formed one published annual budget. Students also need to budget for housing and food, transportation, personal expenses, and materials that may vary by studio course. SAIC's cost-of-attendance estimate for the student's actual year and living arrangement is the appropriate starting point for a complete budget.

Published price is not the same as net price after grants and scholarships. In the reported IPEDS figures, average net price was $39,845 for students from families with annual income of $48,000 or less, and $46,708 for the next income band, through $75,000. These are averages for qualifying students, not individual aid quotes. The reported average undergraduate grant award was $18,877, while 37% of students had student loans. Eligible students may be considered for federal and state grants, institutional scholarships, and federal loans through the applicable financial aid process. Illinois state assistance depends on eligibility rules, not simply attendance at a college in Illinois; students using military education benefits should likewise confirm how their particular benefit applies to SAIC charges.

What are the work-study opportunities at School of the Art Institute of Chicago?

Eligible SAIC students may be able to work through Federal Work-Study or other student employment. Federal Work-Study is need-based financial aid earned as wages for hours worked; it is not an automatic discount on a tuition bill or a guarantee of a job.

Students seeking work should review their financial aid offer for Work-Study eligibility and use SAIC's student job resources to identify positions and apply. Ordinary part-time jobs may be available without a Work-Study award, while internships have separate academic and employer requirements. For career planning, SAIC reports offering individual and group counseling, résumé and interview assistance, job listings, employer events, and alumni networking opportunities. Those services can support a search, but they should not be confused with a verified job-placement outcome.