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First, some facts. Of the Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of the Art Institute of Chicago we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 51%, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of the Art Institute of Chicago have a much lower likelihood (-16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 50% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Fine and Studio Arts graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 4% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a One year study for Bachelors of Fine Arts in Fine and Studio Arts. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRecreation Specialist Oswego YMCA Aug 2019 - Mar 2020 Production Associate  Drift Net Securities May 2020 - Dec 2020 Production Manager Drift Net Securities Dec 2020 - Present Director of Production Drift Net Securities Feb 2023 - Present ABOUTExperienced Production Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in strategy, Conflict Resolution, Assembly Processes, Relationship Building, and Child Development. Strong media and communication professional with a One year study for Bachelors of Fine Arts focused in Fine/Studio Arts, General from School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in paint materials and photography. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job experiences of alumni from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to how relevant their jobs are to Fine and Studio Arts. A lot of grads have found themselves in roles that tie directly into the arts—like being a Painting Instructor, Art Therapist, or Preparator at a prestigious museum. These positions definitely make use of the artistic skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. It’s clear that a handful of jobs, particularly in educational and therapeutic contexts, really harness the essence of a Fine Arts background.
However, many of their job titles drift away from traditional fine arts roles. You’ve got people working as Client Services Managers, administrative positions, or even in completely unrelated industries like securities. These positions focus more on management or customer service and don't actively engage the fine arts skills they learned in school. So, while there are some really cool, art-related gigs out there, it's also pretty common to see alumni in positions where their degree might not play a huge part in their day-to-day work. Overall, it's a mix of both worlds—artistic careers right alongside jobs that could be filled by someone with a degree in just about anything.”
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fine and Studio Arts graduates (this is across all Fine and Studio Arts graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to School of the Art Institute of Chicago):
It looks like graduates from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago have taken a pretty diverse set of career paths after finishing their degrees in Fine and Studio Arts. For many, the first jobs after graduation often relate to art in some capacity, whether it’s working as a preparator at museums, teaching art classes, or supporting roles in art galleries. These entry-level positions, like those at Blick Art Materials or as painting instructors, seem to help build relevant experience and connections in the art community, which is super important in a field like this, where networking can really boost your career.
Fast forward five to ten years, and while some grads have moved on to fulfilling roles that are closely tied to the arts—like Art Therapists, Gallery Directors, and Creative Producers—not everyone has stayed strictly in the art world. A few have found themselves in jobs that might feel a bit removed from their artistic roots, such as Production Manager or even roles in concessions and patient services, especially for those who graduated more recently. Overall, it seems that while a solid number of graduates have carved out careers in the arts, there are also quite a few who have ended up in more general job markets, suggesting that while a degree in Fine and Studio Arts can lead to promising and relevant career paths, it doesn’t always guarantee staying within that artistic sphere. It’s a mixed bag, but definitely shows the variety of ways people can apply their creative skills in the workforce!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Studio Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is definitely a challenge, but it can be super rewarding if you're really passionate about art. Expect to spend a lot of time working on projects, developing your skills in various mediums, and getting critiqued by both your peers and professors. The workload can be quite heavy, and the expectations are high since it’s a top art school. You’ll be pushed to think critically and innovate, which can be tough if you’re not used to that level of creativity and self-expression. So, in a nutshell, it’s probably harder than an average degree, especially if you want to excel. But if you’ve got the drive and love for the arts, it's a fantastic place to grow!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts.
So, looking at these Fine and Studio Arts graduates from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, it seems like they’re on a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have landed solid roles like Program Managers, Art Therapists, and even Video Editors, which can potentially pay fairly well, especially in niche areas like therapy or video production. Meanwhile, others are stuck in more basic positions like concessionists or part-time artist gigs, which probably aren't paying much at all. Overall, while a few are likely doing okay or better, others seem to be hustling in jobs that may not exactly keep the bank account overflowing. If art is their passion, they might need to balance it with some practical career moves to ensure that paycheck matches their talent!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts (this is across all Fine and Studio Arts graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to School of the Art Institute of Chicago). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts (ordered by the average relevance score of their Fine and Studio Arts graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Parsons School of Design - The New School
|
74 | 10 |
 The University of Texas at Austin
|
71 | 17 |
 School of Visual Arts
|
66 | 12 |
 Florida State University
|
56 | 19 |
 School of the Art Institute of Chicago
|
51 | 10 |