Graduate Cost & Fees
Graduate Tuition & Mandatory Fees
We want you to have a clear picture of your graduate costs so you can plan for your time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with confidence. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about tuition, housing, and fees for the upcoming year.
2026–27 Academic Year Tuition
- Graduate Degree Tuition: $61,980 per year (30 credit hours)
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: $59,460 per year (30 credit hours)
Additional Mandatory Fees
- Technology Fee: $1,000 per year
- Health Insurance (if not waived): $3,940 per year
Use the tools below to help you figure out your costs. Continue scrolling to learn more about additional fees that may apply. See SAIC's policy on financial responsibility here.
Budgets by Degree
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Master of Fine Arts in Studio (MFA), Low-Residency MFA, Master of Architecture (MARC), Master of Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture, Master of Design in Designed Objects (MDDO), Master of Fine Arts in Fashion, Body and Garment
Estimates by Academic Year Estimates by Semester Fall/Spring 2026-27
30 Credit Hours
15 Credits 12 Credit Hours
9 Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours Tuition
$61,980
$30,990 $24,792
$18,594 $12,396 Technology and Facilities Fee*
$1,000
$500 $500
$500 $500 U-Pass**
(plus one-time $5 Ventra card fee)
$310
$155 $155
$155 $155 Housing Allowance (off campus)
$7,000
$3,500 $3,500
$3,500 $3,500 Food Allowance
$3,850
$1,925 $1,925
$1,925 $1,925 Books and Supplies
$1,830
$915 $730
$550 $365 Personal Expenses
$3,220
$1,610 $1,310
$1,010 $710 Transportation
$2,100
$1,050 $1,050
$1,050 $1,050 Health Insurance***
(if needed or required)
$3,940
$1,970 $1,970
$1,970 $1,970 Laptop Requirement Estimate****
$2,200
$2,200 $2,200
$2,200 $2,200 Total (laptop and health insurance estimate not included)
$81,290
$40,645 $33,962
$27,284 $20,601 -
Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFAW), Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP), Master of Arts Administration & Policy (MAAAP), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Dual Degree MAAH/MAAAP, Master of Arts in Arts Education (MAAE), Master of Arts in Modern and Contemporary Art History (MAAH), Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies (MAVCS)
Estimates by Academic Year Estimates by Semester Fall/Spring 2026-27
30 Credit Hours
15 Credit Hours
12 Credit Hours 9 Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours Tuition
$61,980
$30,990
$24,792 $18,594 $12,396 Technology and Facilities Fee*
$1,000
$500
$500 $500 $500 U-Pass**
(plus one-time $5 Ventra card fee)
$310
$155
$155 $155 $155 Housing Allowance
$7,000
$3,500
$3,500 $3,500 $3,500 Food Allowance
$3,850
$1,925
$1,925 $1,925 $1,925 Books and Supplies
$550
$275
$220 $165 $110 Personal Expenses
$3,220
$1,610
$1,310 $1,010 $710 Transportation
$2,100
$1,050
$1,050 $1,050 $1,050 Health Insurance***
(if needed or required)
$3,940
$1,970
$1,970 $1,970 $1,970 Total (health insurance charge not included)
$80,010
$40,005
$33,452 $26,899 $20,346 -
Estimates by academic year estimates by semester Fall/Spring 2026-27
30 Credit Hours
15 Credit Hours
12 Credit Hours 9 Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours -
Estimates by Academic Year Estimates by Semester Fall/Spring 2026-27
15 Credit Hours
12 Credit Hours 9 Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours Tuition
$30,990
$24,792 $18,594 $12,396 Technology and Facilities Fee*
$500
$500 $500 $500 U-Pass**
(plus one-time $5 Ventra card fee)
$155
$155 $155 $155 Housing Allowance
$3,500
$3,500 $3,500 $3,500 Food Allowance
$1,925
$1,925 $1,925 $1,925 Books and Supplies
$275
$220 $165 $110 Personal Expenses
$1,610
$1,310 $1,010 $710 Transportation
$1,050
$1,050 $1,050 $1,050 Health Insurance***
(if needed or required)
$1,970
$1,970 $1,970 $1,970 Total (health insurance charge not included)
$40,005
$33,452 $26,899 $20,346
Budget Tools
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2026–27
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Student Budget Worksheet
- Graduate Student Budget Worksheet
- Graduate Student Budget Worksheet - MFA Low Res - Summer
* Must open with Acrobat Reader (or Acrobat) to activate the calculation function.
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Use these electronic Figure Your Costs budgeting worksheets to calculate your direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are costs for which you will be billed by SAIC directly on the student's tuition and fees account. Indirect costs are costs for which you will need to budget, but will not be charged by SAIC.
You will need to choose from four possible living expense budgets to calculate your indirect costs. You may need to customize these indirect costs to meet your specific expected costs which may differ from the provided averages.- On-Campus (New Student)
- On-Campus (Continuing Student)
- Off-Campus
- At Home (with parents, or family, etc)
You should use the worksheet to determine your remaining costs after all available resources (scholarships, grants, loans, work-study and student, parent and/or other contributions) have been included. Use Adobe Acrobat to open PDF files and activate the calculation function.
Upon completing the budgeting worksheet, you should be able to determine if your current resources will:
- Provide enough funding to cover both your direct and indirect costs for the academic year. For financial aid students, this would include getting a refund after all direct costs on the student account are paid so that you may use the additional funds to cover your indirect costs.
- Not provide enough funding to cover your direct, or indirect expenses or both. If your current resources are not enough to cover your cost of attendance, you should seek additional funding resources.
For financial aid students, additional funding resources are most likely Federal Direct PLUS or private education loans if you have no other funding resources. These loans are available to financially credit-worthy borrowers. The amount for which you may be eligible is listed on your financial aid award letter and is based on the number of credit hours and an average off-campus student budget. Please note if the student is living on-campus, your eligibility could vary based on your residence hall charges. If you need assistance determining your eligibility for additional loans, please contact an SFS Advisor.
Payment in full or payment arrangements are due the 15th before each semester. Students may opt to pay their remaining balance after any financial aid resources, by enrolling in SAIC's deferred tuition payment plan for that term. More information on payment plans can be found here. -
Average estimated figures provided are for 15 credits per semester.
Please note that the indirect costs provided on the budgeting worksheets are estimated for an average 15 credit hour semester. You should use the worksheets in coordination with the Graduate Student Budget figures provided on the SAIC website. These budgets will provide average estimates for indirect costs that you may wish to use for calculations other than 15 credit hours.
SAIC Net Price Calculator
Use the SAIC Net Price Calculator to estimate your financial aid and net costs.
Housing Costs
Residence Life offers housing contracts for the academic year, spring semester, and/or summer term. Learn more about costs and fees for each residence hall below. Visit Housing & Residence Life for more information.
Costs are subject to change; please check with Residence Life for the latest information.
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Double Room
Semester: $7,975
Annual: $15,950Small Single Room
Semester: $9,265
Annual: $18,530Single Room
Semester: $10,600
Annual: $21,200 -
Triple Room
Semester: $6,000
Annual: $12,000Double Room
Semester: $7,975
Annual: $15,950Single Room
Semester: $10,600
Annual: $21,200 -
Shared Bedroom in a Shared Apartment
Semester: $6,350
Annual: $12,700Private Bedroom in a Shared Apartment
Semester: $8,775
Annual: $17,550 -
Students may also consider off-campus housing. Average rental prices in nearby areas range from $1,200 to $1,800 per month, depending on the location and amenities.
-
- Prepayment: $550
- Fines: Varies
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New Students
Semester: $1,000
Annual: $2,000Returning Students
Semester: $650
Annual: $1300
Health Insurance
Health insurance is a vital component of your education at SAIC. For the 2026–27 academic year, all full-time domestic and international students are required to have health insurance.
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- Annual Premium: $3,940
- Cost Per Semester: $1,970 (charged for both fall and spring semesters)
- Coverage Period: The spring semester health insurance plan extends coverage through the end of the following summer.
- Annual Premium: $3,940
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All students enrolled full-time at SAIC are automatically charged for the student health insurance plan each fall and spring semester.
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If you have comparable health insurance coverage and do not wish to enroll in SAIC’s health insurance plan, you may submit a waiver request. Here’s how:
- Eligibility: To qualify for a waiver, your existing insurance must meet minimum coverage requirements outlined on the student health insurance webpage.
- Waiver Submission: Complete your waiver online at saic.myahpcare.com using your ARTIC account login.
- Required Documents:
- A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card.
- International students must also submit a scanned copy of their complete insurance policy in English, with coverage amounts in US dollars, and proof of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.
- Required Documents:
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- Fall and Spring Waiver Requests: Must be submitted electronically by the following deadlines:
- Fall 2026 Annual Waiver: August 24, 2026
- Spring 2027 Waiver: January 25, 2027
- Summer Health Insurance: New full-time domestic and international students starting in the summer are automatically enrolled and charged $710 for the summer plan, with an option to waive if they have comparable coverage by the first day of classes.
- Fall and Spring Waiver Requests: Must be submitted electronically by the following deadlines:
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- Part-time Domestic Students: Coverage is available upon request at saic.myahpcare.com.
- Request Deadline: The first day of the fall and spring semesters.
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- Submitted waivers will be verified by Academic HealthPlans. If your waiver is approved, the health insurance charge will be credited to your account.
- Important Notes:
- Submitting a waiver does not guarantee approval.
- Make sure to provide complete and accurate information to avoid denial of your waiver.
- If your waiver request is denied, you will be required to enroll in SAIC’s health insurance plan.
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For issues related to your Artic account or waiver submission, contact the CRIT Help Desk at 312.345.3535 or email crithelpdesk@saic.edu.
For more detailed information about SAIC’s health insurance requirements, please refer to the student health insurance webpage.
Additional Fees
In addition to tuition and housing costs, students should be aware of various additional fees that may be incurred during your studies at SAIC. Below is a comprehensive list of these fees for the 2026–27 academic year.
Note: All fees are subject to change.
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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers a U-Pass program for eligible degree students. To qualify, students must be registered for:
- Fall/Spring Semesters: 6 or more credit hours
- Summer/Winter Terms: 3 or more credit hours
The U-Pass provides unlimited access to CTA bus and rail transportation throughout the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters.
- U-Pass Summer 2026: $105/semester
- U-Pass Fall 2026/Spring 2027: $155/semester
- U-Pass Winter 2026: $35/semester
- U-Pass Ventra Fee: $5 (one-time fee)
- Lost/Stolen U-Pass Replacement: $50
- Damaged U-Pass Replacement: $5
For more information, please visit the U-Pass page.
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Additional fees billed to the student account may include:
- Orientation Fee: $300 (for first-semester undergraduates)
- Thesis In-Progress Fee: $500/semester
- Art Education edTPA Fee: Up to $300 (currently on hold until August 31, 2025)
- Art Therapy Tevera Fee: $215
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- Early Application Fee (September 1—November 30): $45 (domestic)
- Regular Application Fee: $90 (domestic)
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$500
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- Lost/Stolen ARTICard Replacement: $15
- Damaged ARTICard Replacement: $5
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- Thesis in Progress Fee: $500
- Complete Withdrawal Fee: $100
- Transcript Fees:
- Within the US or Canada: $5/transcript*
- Outside the US or Canada: $8/transcript*
- *Additional service charges apply for online orders, including a $20 fee for express/overnight requests.
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- Failure to Establish Payment Arrangements: $250
- Returned Check Fee: $20
- Reissued Lost Refund Check Fee: $25
- Reissued Stale-Dated Refund Check Fee: $25
- Stopped Payment Fee: $25
- Check Reissue Fee: $25
- Payment Plan Late Payment Fee: $40
- Tuition Payment Plan Enrollment Fee: $50
Need Assistance? We're Here to Help
For any questions, please contact Student Financial Services.
- Phone: 312.629.6600
- Email: saic.sfs@saic.edu
- Make a Virtual or Phone Appointment: Prospective students, parents, and alumni can schedule via Acuity and current students can schedule via Navigate.