School of the Art Institute of Chicago Rankings by Salary Score™

SAIC was my dream school pre-college but I attended for four and a half years and can honestly say it isn't worth it. I'm in incredible debt with no job for it. No one I graduated with has an art-related job either. Teachers are great, but can only do so much when the system itself is failing. The staff was underpaid and under-represented. My degree program wasn't even mentioned to me until I researched it MYSELF. My advisor didn't even know what it was! They sent me to the head of the department when the... Read More entire office couldn't give me any details on the program. The facilities are great... when properly taken care of. In all honesty, the experiences I received from this school were lifechanging in my first year. Things you'll never get anywhere else and SHOULD be taught. After that, go somewhere else. You'll regret staying.

I met very talented faculty & fellow grad students while attending SAIC, and also made lifelong connections. At a grad level, SAIC it's not worth the expense. The school does not have any real power when it comes to advancing their student's careers and exposing them to greater things. Also, outside SAIC environment, nobody in the art world really cares about its "prestige". The school has grown too big and it's constantly scheming new money making strategies like the "Low Residency Program", which is basically... Read More a part-time MFA "light" done during the off season so the school can capitalize on the empty studios during student turnover. During my time as a student there where no studio visit schedules, open calls or growth opportunities available. I have made considerable strides in advancing my carrer thanks to my own efforts. SAIC has become a meaningless entry on my CV.