Campus Vibe
Close-knit campus
Kansas City Art Institute is a private urban institution in Kansas City, Missouri. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 782 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
65% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $37,032 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $29,555.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Kansas City Art Institute Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
29.8%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$21,500
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
7
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (8)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
75%
- •75% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •" Meetings were originally in private homes and then moved to the Deardorf Building at 11th and Main in downtown Kansas City.
- •The club had its first exhibition in 1887 and 12 benefactors stepped forward to form the Kansas City Art Association and School of Design.
- •In 1927, Howard Vanderslice purchased the August R.
- •The residence was later renamed "Vanderslice Hall" and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with another building on the campus—Mineral Hall.
- •In 1935, painter Thomas Hart Benton left New York City to teach at the school.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average