Academy of Art University is a private for-profit 4-year college in San Francisco, California with 3,587 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $41,747 a year after grants and graduates 33% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Academy of Art University acceptance rate and admissions
Academy of Art University has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
Academy of Art University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $32,224 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $22,164 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $51,328 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $41,747 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $41,747 a year after grants and scholarships, $9,581 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Academy of Art University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Academy of Art University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 33% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $44,567 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $31,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 70% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Academy of Art University majors and what graduates earn
Academy of Art University awarded bachelor's degrees in 18 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer software and media applications ($73,398).
All 18 majors at Academy of Art University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 86 | $40,073 | $73,398 | $31,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 57 | $59,709 | $66,783 | $43,500 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 20 | n/a | $60,284 | n/a |
| Radio, TV and digital media | 12 | $30,366 | $54,087 | n/a |
| Graphic Communications | 77 | $30,612 | $50,833 | $33,101 |
| Film and photography | 44 | $39,840 | $46,726 | $32,000 |
| Art and design, general | 21 | $29,459 | $43,084 | $31,688 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 43 | $33,523 | $41,565 | $32,000 |
| Graphic and industrial design | 54 | $25,475 | $38,583 | $31,306 |
| Theater | 20 | $27,306 | $35,870 | n/a |
| Music | 23 | n/a | $33,151 | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 24 | n/a | n/a | $30,875 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Landscape Architecture | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Journalism | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Computer Programming | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Academy of Art University
18 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 18 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Master's | 191 | $54,681 | $68,209 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Master's | 104 | $63,588 | $63,897 |
| Graphic Communications | Master's | 73 | $51,760 | $72,773 |
| Graphic and industrial design | Master's | 57 | $43,892 | $75,954 |
| Fine and studio arts | Master's | 37 | $40,844 | $70,962 |
| Film and photography | Master's | 36 | $42,432 | $81,617 |
| Art and design, general | Master's | 31 | n/a | $54,298 |
| Apparel and Textiles | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Radio, TV and digital media | Master's | 15 | n/a | n/a |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Landscape Architecture | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Music | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Journalism | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at Academy of Art University
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 3,587 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 56% women, 44% men
- 14 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Academy of Art University?
No. Academy of Art University has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Academy of Art University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $32,224. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $41,747 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Academy of Art University?
33% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Academy of Art University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $44,567 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in California · colleges in San Francisco · Academy of Art University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.