Chicago, IL

Reception: (312) 300-5685
Email: chicago@sae.edu
820 N.Orleans #125, Chicago, IL 60610 Follow Chicago, IL campus

About the Campus

SAE Institute Chicago Students: Due to the evolving COVID-19 Pandemic, all on-campus classes are temporarily being held online until further notice. Follow all recent updates here. 

SAE Institute Chicago

Located in the heart of the River North neighborhood, SAE Institute Chicago is a creative media school offering entertainment business and audio engineering programs. Our Chicago campus is conveniently located near mass transportation, parking, and all the amenities of downtown Chicago.

Opening its doors in 2012, SAE Institute Chicago is home to eight professionally equipped studios, workstations, classrooms, and an 82-seat HD surround sound theater to create the optimal learning experience for every student. Our studios feature industry-standard hardware and software from Solid State Logic, Slate Digital, Toft, Avid, and more.

We believe in a strong emphasis on hands-on application, and collaborative training is also built into the curriculum to provide practical experiences that mirror what happens in an industry environment.

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Programs & Tuition

SAE Institute in Chicago has a wide variety of programs in audio technology and entertainment business. Keep reading to learn more about these programs and SAE Institute tuition.

Programs Offered

The following entertainment business and audio engineering programs are offered at SAE Institute of Chicago. The SAE Institute tuition price is listed under each corresponding program.

Audio Associate of Science Degree

Develop the skills to shape audio design and creation, while learning both the technical and creative components of audio. Learn more here.

Tuition: $31,800.32
Technology Package: $1399.00
Technology Fee: $899.00
Administrative Fee: $200.00

Total:

$34,298.32

Calculate the estimated cost of attendance with the Net Price Calculator.
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Audio Diploma

Develop the skills to shape audio design and creation, while learning both the technical and creative components of audio. Learn more here.

Tuition: $22,000.00
Technology Package: $1399.00
Technology Fee: $674.25
Administrative Fee: $200.00

Total:

$24,273.25

Calculate the estimated cost of attendance with the Net Price Calculator.
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Entertainment Business Associate of Science Degree

The Associate of Applied Science in Entertainment Business is an intensive course of study that prepares students for a range of careers within the entertainment industry. Learn more here.

Tuition: $31,800.32
Technology Package: $1280.00
Technology Fee: $899.00
Administrative Fee: $200.00
Total: $34,179.32

Calculate the estimated cost of attendance with the Net Price Calculator.
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Entertainment Business Diploma

The Diploma in Entertainment Business is an intensive course of study that prepares students for a range of careers within the entertainment industry. Learn more here.

Tuition: $22,000.00
Technology Package: $1280.00
Technology Fee: $674.25
Administrative Fee: $200.00

Total:

$24,154.25

Calculate the estimated cost of attendance with the Net Price Calculator.
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If you are interested in any of these entertainment business or audio engineering programs offered at SAE Institute in Chicago, apply now! We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Apply Now

About the Area

About Chicago

While enrolled in our creative media school, you will have the opportunity to explore the lakeside city of Chicago, renowned for its relaxed, laid back, beautiful beaches, creative local community, killer deep dish pizza, and sports fanatics. As a multicultural city that thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods, Chicago today embodies the values of America's heartland-integrity, hard work, and community and reflects the ideals in the social fabric of its 77 distinct neighborhoods.

SAE Chicago map thumb

Download PDF City Map

Key Attractions

  • Head to the beach for a swim, or walk/bike along the shore via the Lake Shore Drive trail. 
  • Sports fans on the north side of town can catch a game at the world famous Wrigleyfield or head down to the South Side for a White Sox game.
  • Grab a slice of deep dish at some of Chicago's signature pizza joints.
  • Gaze into the great beyond at the Adler Planetarium (additionally its prime location gives one of the best views of the city's skyline)
  • Discover the unknown species of the world at the Shed Aquarium.
  • Ride the ferris wheel, walk the boardwalk and check out the weekly fireworks at Navy Pier.
  • See what it's like on top of the world at the Willis (Sears) Tower, Skydeck.
  • Walk around Millennium Park and get lost in the reflections in front of Cloud Gate (aka. The Bean).
  • Spend an afternoon walking around Lincoln Park Zoo and hang with the animals for free.
  • Relish in the past at the Chicago History Museum. 

Events

January-April

  • Chicago Creative Expo
  • Cimmfest
  • BandSmart
  • St. Patricks Day Parade
  • Chicago's Birthday Celebration
  • Chicago Memorial Day Parade

May-August

  • Lollapalooza
  • Pitchfork Music Festival
  • Spring Awakening Music Festival
  • Music Mondays in Millenium Park
  • Air and Water Show
  • Chicago Pride Parade
  • Ribfest
  • Bluesfest
  • World Music Festival
  • Wavefront Music Festival
  • Riotfest
  • Do Division
  • Wicker Park Festival
  • Chicago Bike Week
  • Taste of Chicago
  • Chicago Jazz Festival

September-December

  • Chicago Marathon
  • Lights at the Zoo
  • Carroling at Cloud Gate (The Bean)
  • Ice Skating on State Street

Additional links and resources:

Local Services in Chicago

City Hall

121 N LaSalle St
Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 744-5000

Emergency Services

In an emergency call: 911 (Ambulance, Fire, Police)


Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

676 N St Clair St
Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 926-2000

Physicians Immediate Care - West Loop

600 W Adams St
Chicago, IL 60661

(312) 506-0900

Rush University Medical Center

1653 W Congress Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60612

(312) 942-5000

Transportation

CHICAGO TRANSPORTATION

If you are looking for an audio school in the best location, SAE’s Chicago campus couldn’t be in a better spot. It’s located downtown in the heart of River North (gallery district) and a 10-minute walk from there to the lake. Cycle and walking tracks connect the campus to both hubs. Crossroads for the campus are Chicago Ave. and N. Orleans.

Ride the El (Subway), take a bus, hail a taxi or hop on a DIVY bike!  For more information, see below.

Public Transit

CTA Card/CTA Plus Cards must be purchased to use Chicago Public Transportation. (CTA buses take exact change in addition to CTA cards).

For more information: 1-888-968-7282 or Chicago Transit Authority website

Places to obtain a CTA card:

SMART PHONE USERS: Download the CTA App. It is one amazing resource to help you get around the city!

CTA EL (Subway)

Nearest Stop to SAE:

Brown Line/Red Line at Chicago & Franklin (head out the stairs, walk west onto Chicago Ave. then head north onto N. Orleans).

CTA Bus System

Nearest Stops to SAE:

66- Orleans

37S- Chicago

37N- Orleans

Reduced fares are available for students.

Bikes

Chicago is rated one of the top 10 bicycling cities in the U.S.. With many of bike-friendly street routes in addition to the Chicago Lakefront Bike Path, running 18.5 linear miles along Lake Michigan, you will be sure to have one effective and beautiful ride.

Divvy Bikes

Another option for cycling is the Divvy system, the bike sharing program in Chicago. Bikes can be rented for $7 per 24 hour pass, or $75 for a yearly membership which includes unlimited 30-minute rides. With hundreds of stations across Chicago, the Divvy system makes getting where you’re going easy and convenient without having to use public transportation or buying your own bike.

Walking

Chicago has some of the most amazing weather! The most comfortable months to walk in the city are April thru October.

Airports

Domestic and International Travel

- Chicago Midway Airport

Connects to Subway via Orange Line

- Chicago O'Hare Airport

Connects to Subway via Blue Line

 

*PLEASE READ ALL PARKING METER/PARKING PERMIT SIGNS, AS SAE INSTITUTE CHICAGO CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY TRAFFIC AND/OR PARKING VIOLATION.

Housing Options

Housing Options in Chicago

While attending SAE’s entertainment business and audio engineering programs, we want you to have an ideal housing situation that you feel comfortable in. Although SAE does not provide on-campus housing, we provided this Student Housing Guide and other housing information as a courtesy to students for reference only. SAE Institute has no affiliation with any landlord or property owner. SAE Institute does not investigate, endorse or guarantee information provided by third parties.

All agreements or contractual arrangements related to housing rentals or leases are strictly between the student or other responsible party and the property owner or landlord.

Looking for an Apartment? These resources can help:

Looking for Roommates?

Finding a roommate can help to offset some of your living expenses.  Check the following websites to meet other people interested in sharing a place:

Prefer a Student Dorm?

Although we don’t offer on-campus dorms, there are off-campus dorms available for students all over Chicago (color coded the map below for location reference).

Tailor Lofts

315 S. Peoria Street
312-563-5638

The Buckingham

59 E. Van Burren Street
312-496-6200

Automatic Lofts

410 S. Morgan Street
312-564-6100

1237 West

1237 W. Fullerton
773-395-4500

Utility Check?

Students may need to consider additional expenses for the following utilities when renting:

Facilities and Equipment

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