WhatsApp
Academy of Art University logo

Academy of Art University

N/A(0)
VerifiedPrivateEstd. 1929
Founded
1929
Type
Private
University Guide

About Academy of Art University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Why Study at Academy of Art University?

  • Programs: Academy of Art University programs are offered in over 120 programs in 40+ areas of study. The various schools provide programs in numerous fields related to Art and Design such as Acting, Advertising, Animation, and Visual Effects.
  • Campus: The main campus facilities of the Academy of Arts University include classrooms, studios, labs, photography studios, auditorium, auto museum, fashion sewing labs, etc.
  • Admission Process: The Academy of Art University opens the admission process through an online application and requires a fee of 50 USD along with ELP scores, recommendation letter, and passport. 
  • Financial Aid: Academy of Art University USA  offers more than 10 scholarships in USA every month with an award amount between 1,000 USD to 5,000 USD.
  • Placements: Some of the top companies hiring graduates from Academy of Art University are Walmart Labs, Accenture, Apple Inc., Ann Taylor, BuzzFeed. The average salary offered to graduates is 67,770 USD. Also Check: Job opportunities for international students in US

Highlights

Type Private
Campus setting Urban and online
Mode of program Full time/part time/online
Total enrolment 6,786
Cost of attendance 44226 USD(Average)
English language proficiency TOEFL/IELTS/PTE
No minimum score requirement
Financial aid Scholarships/grants/loans
Admission helpdesk [email protected]
phone: 1-415-274-2208
fax:- 1-415-618-6278

Academy of Art University Campus

  • Writing and speaking labs and English support labs are specially designed for non-native English speakers from overseas.
  • The university has five canteens, located on campus and adjacent to the residential halls. All of them specialize in their kind of food.
  • The university has dozens of clubs and organizations whereby students with similar interests join each other.
  • The urban campus in the heart of the city sites at the most dynamic artistic, cultural, and technological resources.
  • The department of campus safety comprises four divisions: crime prevention team, patrol team, host team, and communications team.
  • City life is dreams come true for artistic students. Student gallery exhibitions, art museums, theatres, and concert venues add up to the beauty of the place.
  • Free shuttle services for students and staff members.
  • Airport, bus station, supermarket, book store, shopping mall, all within 1 to 4 km of distance from campus.

Academy of Art University Residence

  • There are 10 residence options in US for the students of Academy of Art University.
  • The Commodore, Howard Brodie, International House, and Clara Gil Stephens are the student accommodations where students have to take meal plans.
  • Clara Gil Stephens, Johannes Vermeer, Edgar Degas, Leonardo da Vinci, and Half Moon Lofts are the apartments and traditional housing places where opting for meal plans is not compulsory.
  • The Coco Chanel Residence Hall is a female-only accommodation.
  • The fully furnished apartments offer single, double or triple occupancy.
  • The premises are equipped with facilities such as internet connection, recreational rooms, canteen and dining areas, laundry areas and study rooms, computer kiosks, common microwave, etc.
  • Student rooms include basic furniture such as bed, desk, chair, walk-in closet, full bath and shower.
  • The campus accommodation can be secured with a deposit of 500 USD out of which 150 USD is non-refundable if the student does not want to avail the offer after receiving it.

Academy of Art University Courses

  • Academy of Art University programs are offered in over 120 programs in 40+ areas of study.
  • The various schools provide programs in numerous fields related to Art and Design such as Acting, Advertising, Animation, and Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Art History, Communications and Media Technologies, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Development, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Landscape Architecture, Photography, Web Design and New Media, Television and Digital Media, etc.
  • The program options include BA, B. Arch, BFA, BS, MA, M. Arch, MAT, MFA, and certificates.
  • Additional programs such as study abroad, continuing education as well as Pre-College Art Experience (PCAE) are also available.
  • The most popular major courses at university are Visual and Performing Arts, Computer and Information Sciences, Communications Technologies, Engineering and Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • The university is known to offer top online programs in art and design in the world.
  • The School of Animation and Visual Effects provides a unique program known as StudioX that helps students to experience the real-world while studying.

Academy of Art University Application Process

Getting admission at the Academy of Art University is effortless as it follows an open admission policy. However, students have to be careful about admission requirements. Standardized test scores(SAT/ACT) are not required.
Application portal: Online academy of art university application portal
Application fee: 50 USD; International student service fee 300 USD
Supporting documents:

  • Official transcripts
  • Affidavit of support
  • Bank letter
  • Photocopy of passport
  • TOEFL/IELTS(recommended)
  • Visa
  • Average GPA OF 2.0
  • Statement of purpose
  • Portfolio
  • Resume
  • Bank letter

The university has rolling admissions three times a year

Academy of Art University Cost of Attendance

International students are required to have at least 43,000 USD for 1 academic year on account of tuition and housing expenses in US. The estimated cost of attendance is as follows for international students:

Expenses Amount (in USD)
Undergraduate Tuition 1,091 (3 units per class)
Graduate Tuition 1,227 (3 units per class)
Tuition Deposit (upon enrollment) 2,500
Course Fees 400 per semester
Application Fee 50 USD
International Student Services Fee 300
Student Activity Fee 30 per semester
Materials/ Supplies 540 per semester

Academy of Art University Financial Aid for International Students

Academy of Art University USA provides various kinds of financial aid for international students, some have to be paid back while working, some do not have to be repaid. The amount depends on the financial need as determined by the department of education.

  • Academy of Art University has awarded 1 million USD in grants and scholarships since 2012.
  • Scholarship application deadlines depending on course selected
  • More than 10 scholarships are offered every month with an award amount between 1,000 USD to 5,000 USD.

The types of financial aid available are state and federal aids, loans, federal work-study, parents plus loans, grants, and scholarships.

  1. Dependent undergraduate students are eligible for direct Stafford loans of up to 31,000 USD yearly.
  2. Independent undergraduate students are eligible for direct Stafford loans of up to 57,500 USD yearly.
  3. Academy of Art University introduces the 2020 Graduate Scholarship for spring, summer, and fall semesters, awards worth up to 2,000 USD each will be offered to the prospective graduate student.

Academy of Art University Alumni

  • The academy has more than 50,000 alumni who are most sought professionals in art and design today.
  • All returning academy alumni are supported with 20% tuition benefit in all courses or additional degrees.
  • Alumni have access to the current job on internship opening.
  • Online workshops and alumni portfolios are the resources offered.

Notable alumni include:

  • Alyssa Watson- assistant designer, Adidas innovation team
  • Scott Borero- director of photography, LE TOTE
  • Jason Sperling- SVP. Chief creative development, RPA
  • Mark Cofer- composer and music producer, root house productions

Academy of Art University Placements

  • Every semester an event is organized with industry partners for in-class lectures and portfolio reviews.
  • The students are guided for facing interviews also either on campus or outside.
  • Some of the top companies that have hired graduates of the university include Walmart Labs, Accenture, Apple Inc., Ann Taylor, BuzzFeed, Burberry, Deutsch, Disney Channel TV Network, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Fox News, Gucci, GUESS, and several other companies.
  • According to Payscale, the average salary earned by the university students is 67,770 USD. The average salary according to job positions are as follows:
Positions Earnings (in USD)
Graphic Designer 58,000
Creative Director 92,000
Product Designer 91,000
Interior Designer 63,000
Art Director 80,000
UX Designer 67,000

Academy of Art University works towards the placement of students through its career services department. Many industries and artists are invited on campus for providing jobs to the students through live interactions. The university has built long-lasting relationships with various renowned and fast-growing companies to support its graduates.

FAQs

Ques. What is the application fee of Academy of Arts University?

Ans. The university charges 50 USD as non-refundable registration application fee.

Ques. What is the graduation rate of the Academy of Art University?

Ans. The overall graduation rate is approximately 45%.

Ques. What is the average tuition fee for the international students?

Ans. The tuition fee for undergraduates is 26,800 USD and for graduates is 28,600 USD.

Ques. What is the percentage of international students studying at the Academy of Art University?

Ans. There are approximately 26% international students at the Academy of Art University.

Ques. What is the acceptance rate of the Academy of Art University?

Ans. The acceptance rate of the Academy of Art University is around 100% because of its open admission policy.

Ques. What will happen if I am unable to submit my application within the application deadline?

Ans. Academy of Art University accepts the application on a rolling basis, if you will not be able to submit the application for a particular semester’s deadline, it will be considered for the next semester.

Ques. Is portfolio submission compulsory for all admissions?

Ans. It is not mandatory for undergraduate admissions, but in some graduate courses it is a compulsory requirement.

Ques. Is it possible to submit the photocopy of my transcript?

Ans. No. The transcripts are required to be originally sent directly to the university.

Ques. Do EAP credits apply towards the regular degree?

Ans. No, EAP credits do not apply to the degree.

Ques. How many clubs are there on campus?

Ans. Academy of Art University has around 30 clubs.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

31

Fee from

₹31,29,676.38

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 18 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 35.7 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 38,160 /Yr
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Academy of Art University Admissions

  • Academics: The university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduates degrees as well as certificate programs. Explore: Courses at Academy of Art University!
  • Enrollments: The Academy of Art University applications portals for UG and PG are separate and are available on the official website. The application fee is marked at 50 USD for international students. 
  • Admission Deadline: Academy of Art University follows an open admission policy and there are no specific deadlines. It accepts applications till the first week of each semester. The upcoming deadline is marked for June 21. 
  • Admission Requirements: English language proficiency of international students are exam post-arrival, TOEFL or IELTS scores are not compulsory to submit. However, one must share a statement of intent, resume, portfolio or demo reel, and previous academic transcripts at the time of applying.

Highlights

Application Portal University's Online Application
Application Fee (non-refundable) 50 USD
Average SAT score Not Required
Mode of Payment Check, Money order, Credit cards 
Academic Calendar Semester based
Intake Season Fall/Summer/Spring
Financial Aid Grant, Loan and Scholarship
Portfolio For graduate programs

Academy of Art University Admission Deadlines

The Academy of Art University sticks to an open admission policy so applicants are required to apply before the semester classes begin. There is no specific application deadline declared by the university. International students need to apply at least three months before the session begins as there are other admission formalities to fulfill. Below are the start dates of the academic session:

Seasons Class Begins
Fall  September 2
Spring  February 7
Summer June 21

Academy of Art University International Student Admissions

The university accepts applications online and the payment of the application fees can be done through Flywire, money order, check, or online through deceit or credit card. All the documents must be translated into English before submitting them to the university.
Where to Apply: Online/ Mail
Application Fee: 150 USD

Applicants are also required to pay a registration fee of 50 USD, an international student service fee of 300 USD, and a tuition deposit of 2,500 USD.

Application Requirements: 

  • Official high school transcripts.
  • Affidavit of support
  • School art portfolio/ demo reel is required for international graduate applicants. 
  • Official bank letter (minimum balance of 42,000 USD)
  • Photocopy of a valid passport
  • Transfer evaluation form

TOEFL and IELTS scores are not required for international students. The evaluation of English language proficiency is done on the applicant’s arrival.

US Visa for International Students

The USA consulate or embassy grants an F1 visa to pursue education which is authorized to admit international students. As soon as the admission requirements are fulfilled, an I-20 form is issued which is required to get the visa. Once the I-20 form is received, the student needs to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. For visa application, the applicant requires the following document:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20, Non-immigrant visa application
  • Receipt of payment of I-901 SEVIS
  • Photo

Students are required to schedule an appointment for a visa interview at the US embassy or consulate in their home country.

Academy of Art University Undergraduate Admissions

The university offers a large number of undergraduate programs including Acting, Animation and Visual Effects, Communications & Media Technologies, Graphic Design, Visual Development, Photography, and much more. A good academic score and proof of high school graduation are essential for admission to UG courses at the  Academy of Art University.
Application Portal: Online Undergraduate Application 
Application Fee: 50 USD
Admission Requirements:

  • Official high school transcript
  • Official GED certificate
  • Signed home school program certification form & transcript 
  • An art portfolio, not mandatory but may help with the admission process
  • Official transcript of the university or institutions attended.

Academy of Art University Graduate Admissions

The programs offered for graduate admissions are similar to undergraduate programs. However, the master's degree courses of the Academy of Art University have specific requirements to fulfil. The popular PG courses and their mandatory prerequisites are tabulated below:

Requirements Masters in Communications Technologies Masters in Graphics Design Masters in Visual Development Masters in Web Design Masters in Architecture
Application Fee
(Non-refundable)
50 USD 50 USD 50 USD 50 USD 50 USD
Transcripts Required Required Required Required Required
SAT/Minimum GPA Scores Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required 2.0/4 (73%-76%)
Essay Required Required Required Required Required
Work Experience Not Required Required Not Required Not Required Not Required
Professional CV/Resume Required Required Required Required Required

Academy of Art University’s admission criteria are not stringent, so any applicant fits into the basic requirements of the university to get admission. The University also provides admission representatives for any queries regarding the admission process. The students can learn from campus or through online classes. Discussions, lectures, and assignments can all be reviewed online whenever and wherever it is convenient for students. Upon acceptance, international students need to apply for an I-20 form. The I-20 form will be sent to candidates prior

Placements & Recruiters

Academy of Art University Placement Details

Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in San Francisco, California, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Fine Arts: #28 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Fine Arts
  • 1 ranking record in 2025

Contact Information

79 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94105

+1-415-274-2208

+1-800-544-2787