With more than 12,000 students as of 2010, Columbia College is the largest media arts school in the country. Undergraduates and graduates can study liberal arts and sciences, fine and performing arts, or media arts. It is a private school, but regularly hosts events on its campus that the public can attend. Classes take place in more than 20 different buildings throughout Chicago's downtown. And because it is downtown, the school is near many cultural happenings and activities. It is within walking distance to multiple museums, art galleries and parks.
Columbia College
600 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
312-369-7130
colum.edu
The school at the Art Institute of Chicago is known as the great art school of the Midwest, but downtown Chicago has other quality art schools too. The Art Institute of Chicago is more expensive than the American Academy of Art and the Art Institute of Illinois, but both of the latter offer high-quality art education. But the Art Institute of Chicago comes with the highest renown; it is known around the world for its history of great artists. It is connected to a museum that is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, and it is just steps away from Millennium Park.
School of the Art Institute
847 West Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-563-5162
saic.edu
Illinois Institute of Art
350 North Orleans St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-280-3500
artinstitutes.edu
American Academy of Art
332 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-461-0600
DePaul has multiple campuses throughout the Chicagoland area, but its downtown campus is the location for the Colleges of Commerce, Communication and Law, as well as Computing and Digital Media. Housing options are available close to campus in the University Center of Chicago building, which offers studio apartments at student rates. A law library, student centers and writing center are all in the Loop as well. Within proximity of other large stage theaters in the Loop is DePaul's Merle Reskin Theater, where students from DePaul's Theater School perform.
DePaul Loop Campus
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-362-8121
depaul.edu