Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA · Private for-profit · Graduate degree-granting
Academy of Art University is a private for-profit institution in San Francisco, California, accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. With 3,587 students, it is a small institution. Graduates earn a median of $39,008 ten years after enrollment, near the national median. In terms of completion, the graduation rate is 37.9%. Regarding affordability, median graduate debt is $31,000, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of 1.26x. The average net price after financial aid is $40,613 per year. The most popular programs include Computer Software Engineering, Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Graphic Communications, Design & Applied Arts, and Film, Video & Photographic Arts.
Key Outcomes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$39,008
Graduation Rate
37.9%
Median Debt
$31,000
Average Net Price
$40,613
Earnings-to-Cost Ratio
0.24x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio
1.26x
Admissions & Enrollment
Total Enrollment
3,587
Admission Rate
Not reported
Average SAT
Not reported
Retention Rate
75.4%
Cost
In-State Tuition
$30,736
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,736
Pell Grant Rate
41.0%
Federal Loan Rate
49.5%
Net Cost by Family Income
Income $0–$30K
$37,668
Income $30K–$48K
$36,340
Income $48K–$75K
$43,874
Income $110K+
$44,082
Student Demographics
Women
57.3%
White
28.0%
Black
13.5%
Hispanic
21.0%
Asian
7.2%
Two or More Races
6.8%
Student Loan Performance
Repayment Rate (3yr)
35.9%
Accreditations
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation — Institutional Accreditation, Art and Design (ART) - Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs (Accredited)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
Programs (50)
Bachelor (17)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software Engineering | $73,398 | 112 |
| Graphic Communications | $50,833 | 74 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,783 | 73 |
| Design & Applied Arts | $38,583 | 63 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | $46,726 | 56 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $41,565 | 49 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | $43,084 | 23 |
| Fine Arts | Not reported | 23 |
| Radio, Television & Film | $54,087 | 20 |
| Music | $33,151 | 14 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | $35,870 | 12 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $60,284 | 12 |
| Educational Assessment | Not reported | 11 |
| Audiovisual Communications | Not reported | 7 |
| Landscape Architecture | Not reported | 3 |
| Journalism | Not reported | 3 |
| Computer Programming | Not reported | 3 |
Master (16)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software Engineering | $87,998 | 182 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $71,613 | 97 |
| Graphic Communications | $64,026 | 69 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | $58,879 | 52 |
| Design & Applied Arts | $57,636 | 51 |
| Fine Arts | $46,730 | 47 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | $51,874 | 29 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | Not reported | 14 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $62,856 | 14 |
| Audiovisual Communications | Not reported | 13 |
| Music | Not reported | 13 |
| Radio, Television & Film | Not reported | 12 |
| Apparel and Textiles | Not reported | 5 |
| Landscape Architecture | Not reported | 4 |
| Educational Assessment | Not reported | 4 |
| Secondary Education | Not reported | 3 |
Associate (9)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software Engineering | $60,731 | 16 |
| Design & Applied Arts | $40,595 | 15 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | $42,221 | 15 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Not reported | 9 |
| Graphic Communications | Not reported | 8 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | Not reported | 7 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $29,584 | 6 |
| Music | Not reported | 6 |
| Landscape Architecture | Not reported | 3 |
Show 8 additional programs with limited data
| Program | Level | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications | Associate | 2 |
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | Associate | 2 |
| Fine Arts | Associate | 2 |
| Architectural Technology | Master | 1 |
| Journalism | Master | 1 |
| Home Furnishings | Bachelor | 1 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | Associate | 1 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | Associate | 1 |
Rankings Featuring This Institution
- Highest Earning Associate's Visual & Performing Arts Programs
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Technology Programs
- Highest Earning Master's Communications Technology Programs
- Highest Earning Associate's Computer Science Programs in California
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Computer Science Programs in California
- Highest Earning Master's Computer Science Programs in California
- Highest Earning Associate's Visual & Performing Arts Programs in California
- Highest Earning Master's Visual & Performing Arts Programs in California
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Technology Programs in California
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Engineering Technology Programs in California
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