Academy of Art University Admissions

Academy of Art University Admissions Overview:

The Academy of Art University accepts students by open admissions. According to the school's website, applicants are required to submit an official copy of a high school transcript, verification of a high school diploma (or GED), an application fee, and the completed application form. While art portfolios are not required, they are strongly encouraged. Students can also apply for the school's online program which allows greater flexibility for students who do not live in the San Francisco area.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Academy of Art University Acceptance Rate: open admissions
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: - / -
  • SAT Math: - / -
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What's a good SAT score?
  • ACT Composite: - / -
  • ACT English: - / -
  • ACT Math: - / -
    • What's a good ACT score?

Academy of Art University Description:

The Academy of Art University is a four-year, private, for-profit university located in San Francisco, California. Academics at the Academy are supported by a to 15 to 1 student / faculty ratio. The school offers a long list of art and design-related programs, including majors like Jewelry and Metal Arts, Game Design, and Multimedia Communication. The Academy of Art University also has plenty of online classes available, and some which offer an Online Award of Completion. To keep students engaged outside the studio and classroom, the Academy of Art has a host of student clubs and organizations, including the Tea Time Animation Club, the Competitive Gaming Club, and the Sequential Imagery Consortium. For intercollegiate athletics, the Academy of Art competes in the NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference (PacWest) with sports like men’s and women’s soccer, track and field, and golf.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 12,608 (8,303 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male / 57 percent female
• 58 percent full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $21,252
• Books: $1,790 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $14,912
• Other Expenses: $3,280
• Total Cost: $41,234

Academy of Art University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 53 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 34 percent
  • Loans: 44 percent
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,417
  • Loans: $7,346

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Animation and Visual Effects, Fashion, Illustration, Interior Architecture and Design, Motion Pictures and Television

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 76 percent
• Transfer-out Rate: 18 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 5 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 34 percent

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

• Men's Sports: Soccer, Basketball, Golf, Baseball, Track and Field
• Women's Sports: Tennis, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track and Field

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

If You Like Academy of Art University, You May Also Like These Schools:

Applicants interested in attending a top art school may also be interested in The New School, Bard College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, or Maryland Institute College of Art. All of these schools focus on visual and performing arts, and are fairly accessible, with acceptance rates around 60%.

For applicants that are looking for a larger school (with 10,000 or more students) in California, UC Berkeley, the University of San Francisco, UCLA, and San Diego State University are all great choices.