Academy of Art University
Founded 1929
President Elisa Stephens (President)
Fees USD 30,744
Acceptance Rate Open Admission (>75%)
Campus Setting Urban
Academy of Art University is the largest private accredited art and design university in the United States, founded in 1929 in San Francisco. The university enrolls approximately 12,000 students across its San Francisco campus, online programs, and hybrid formats, and offers BFA and MFA programs in over 30 creative disciplines. Academy of Art is known for its fashion design program (with an annual New York Fashion Week show), its game design and animation programs, and its open-admissions policy.
Schools and Departments
- School of Fashion — Annual NY Fashion Week runway show
- School of Game Design — Top gaming industry connections
- School of Animation and Visual Effects — Pixar, DreamWorks alumni
- School of Graphic Design — Brand and digital design
- School of Architecture — NAAB-accredited architecture
How to Apply
- Application: Academy of Art Application
- Open Admissions: Portfolio reviewed after enrollment
- Acceptance Rate: Open admissions
Key Deadlines
- Rolling Admissions: Multiple start dates per year