
Academy of Art University's reported six-year graduation rate is 34% for the measured first-time, full-time undergraduate cohort. The reported four-year rate is 6%. These rates describe how particular entering groups progressed within fixed time limits; they are not the graduation probability of every student who enrolls.
The six-year figure is below the reported national institutional average of about 51%. The reported first-year retention rate is 75%, a different measure that tracks whether students continue into the next academic year. Transfer students, part-time students, and graduate students may follow different timelines and are not adequately described by a first-time, full-time bachelor's cohort.
Because additional semesters can increase total spending, applicants should ask their intended department how many credits its degree requires, when required courses are offered, and how it supports students who fall behind schedule.
Federal College Scorecard program data report earnings measured one year after completion for some Academy of Art University fields. The figures are medians for the federally aided former students included in each reported program measure, not starting-salary offers or predictions for every graduate.
Examples include about $42,476 for computer software and media applications and $28,222 for design and applied arts. The reported figure for drama, theatre arts, and stagecraft is $18,335. These field categories can cover different occupations, locations, and credentials, so their figures should not be treated as a controlled comparison of otherwise similar students.
One-year earnings leave out much of a creative career's later development and do not show whether someone works in the field they studied. They also do not account for an individual student's tuition, borrowing, or time to completion. Compare the precise program and credential with its costs and available longer-term outcomes before drawing a conclusion about value.
Degrees
Apparel and Textiles
$32,156Computer Software and Media Applications
$42,476Design and Applied Arts
$28,222Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
$44,238Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
$18,335Film/Video and Photographic Arts
$31,710Fine and Studio Arts
$29,422Graphic Communications
$27,837Music
$35,022Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
$28,192Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
$44,653Visual and Performing Arts, General
$29,153BACHELOR’S Degree
Visual and Performing Arts
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Education
Architecture and Related Services
MASTER’S Degree
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Visual and Performing Arts
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Education
Architecture and Related Services
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.