APPLICATION FEE
Undergraduate application fee $50.
Private University
Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University in San Francisco offers hands-on training in over 120 art and design programs. The private institution welcomes students from all backgrounds with a focus on real-world projects and industry connections.
San Francisco, CAcity, large
$36,591AVG NET PRICE
37%GRAD RATE
6,320STUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
THE SIGNATURE
Academy of Art University Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
Academy of Art University is a private, four-year institution located in San Francisco, California. With a total enrollment of approximately 6,320 students, the school emphasizes practical skills through its extensive studio facilities and industry-tested curriculum. The campus provides access to professional tools such as sound stages, camera rooms, and specialized labs for fashion and interior design.
Academics at the Academy are centered on creative development across more than 120 programs in art and design. Students engage with faculty who work in the field and complete projects that mirror real industry demands. The university offers pathways from entry-level classes to graduate degrees, including Associate of Applied Sciences degrees for those seeking skilled careers quickly.
The surrounding area of San Francisco provides a vibrant backdrop for creative exploration. The institution serves a diverse student body from all 50 states and over 100 countries, fostering an inclusive environment where students can build portfolios that speak for themselves.
AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Settingcity, large
Calendarsemester
GETTING IN
Admissions
The Academy of Art University does not require test scores, grades, or portfolios for admission, focusing instead on a student's decision to pursue their creative goals.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$28,024/yr
Out-of-state: $28,024/yr.
Net price by income band
$37,962$0–$30,000
$37,492$30,001–$48,000
$40,285$48,001–$75,000
$44,633$75,001–$110,000
$41,099$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$36,591/yr
▲ 12% since 2020-2158% receive grants or scholarships
Average grant or scholarship aid $12,101.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
Academy of Art University offers over 120 programs in art and design, including STEM-designated tracks for animation and interior architecture. The curriculum emphasizes real-world projects and collaboration with industry professionals to build strong portfolios.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
15:1
6-year graduation rate
37%
▲ 0 pts since 2016
First-year retention
67%
Median across 34 institutions in our national dataset: 89%.
Bachelor-level fields offered
35
Bachelor-level fields reported as offered in IPEDS
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Share of bachelor's degree completions, not of all enrolled students.
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects.13.2%
Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation.9.1%
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General.6.3%
Computer Graphics.5.7%
Illustration.5.7%
Fashion/Apparel Design.5.6%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Reported capacity of institution-controlled housing and campus setting. Capacity does not indicate how many students currently live in university housing.
University-controlled housing capacity
1,488
Includes institution-controlled housing; it may extend beyond campus.
Setting
city, large
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
Earnings and employment of former students after entering the university.
Source: College Scorecard 2025
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$39,008
Median earnings of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Working after 10 yrs
74.5%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
60.5%
60.5% of former students earn above the Scorecard high-school earnings threshold, ten years after entry.
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics, and College Scorecard. University Apartments is not affiliated with Academy of Art University.