Academy of Art University
Private for-profit four-year university in San Francisco, CA that costs an average of $41,747 a year after financial aid and graduates 33% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$41,747
Acceptance rate
Open
Graduation rate
33%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$44,567
Private for-profitLarge city3,587 undergraduates
Cost of Academy of Art University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $51,328 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $32,224 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $22,164 |
| Books and supplies | $1,089 |
| Average net price after aid | $41,747 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $42,297 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $41,651 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $41,212 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $40,964 |
| $110,001+ | $41,816 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Academy of Art University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | Open admission (everyone admitted) |
|---|
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 33% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 75% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $36,233 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $44,567 |
| Rank in California (earnings) | 119th of 129 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $31,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $352 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 47% |
| Students with federal loans | 49% |
Majors and programs at Academy of Art University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (20)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 130 | $59,709 | $43,500 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 198 | $40,073 | $31,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 100 | $39,840 | $32,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 92 | $33,523 | $32,000 |
| Graphic Communications | 151 | $30,612 | $33,101 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 32 | $30,366 | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 44 | $29,459 | $31,688 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 32 | $27,306 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 117 | $25,475 | $31,306 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 10 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | — | — | — |
| Computer Programming | 4 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 17 | — | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | 1 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 47 | — | $30,875 |
| Journalism | 4 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 4 | — | — |
| Music | 37 | — | — |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 32 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Certificate programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | — | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | — | — | — |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | — | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (16)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apparel and Textiles | 18 | — | — |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 3 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 30 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 31 | — | $33,500 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 18 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 1 | — | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 27 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 3 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 25 | — | — |
| Journalism | 1 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 4 | — | — |
| Music | 10 | — | — |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 4 | — | — |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 3 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 14 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (18)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 201 | $63,588 | $63,897 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 373 | $54,681 | $68,209 |
| Graphic Communications | 142 | $51,760 | $72,773 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 108 | $43,892 | $75,954 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 88 | $42,432 | $81,617 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 84 | $40,844 | $70,962 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 22 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 2 | — | — |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 20 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 31 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 8 | — | — |
| Journalism | 1 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 7 | — | — |
| Music | 15 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 27 | — | — |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 24 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 60 | — | $54,298 |
Graduate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 1 | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanbridge University | Irvine | $25,124 | 10% | $67,293 |
| Westcliff University | Irvine | $30,505 | 73% | — |
| Los Angeles Film School | Hollywood | $48,481 | — | $37,849 |
| West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County | Anaheim | $36,240 | — | $104,344 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | Ontario | $47,072 | — | $104,344 |
| New York Film Academy | Burbank | $38,975 | — | $43,578 |
| Chamberlain University-California | Rancho Cordova | $46,658 | 80% | $96,897 |
| University of Silicon Valley | San Jose | $34,100 | 51% | $59,124 |
About Academy of Art University
| Type | Private for-profit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco, CA |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 3,587 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 14 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
| Website | academyart.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Academy of Art University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $51,328 a year (tuition and fees: $32,224). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $41,747 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $42,297.
How much do Academy of Art University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $44,567 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 119th of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians ($59,709 a year after graduation).
What is Academy of Art University's graduation rate?
33% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 75% of first-year students return for a second year.