
Academy of Art University (AAU or ART U) is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1929 as the Académie of Advertising Art and has since grown to become one of the largest property owners in the city. The university offers a range of art and design courses, with over 900 classes, 22 schools, and 14 STEM programs. AAU has a diverse student body, with approximately 8,928 students enrolled, including undergraduates, graduates, and international students. The university also offers distance education courses and has an open admissions policy with a 100% acceptance rate.
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What You'll Learn
- Academy of Art University has around 8,928 students enrolled, with 2,882 undergraduates
- The university has 121 full-time teachers and 485 part-time staff
- AAU has a low graduation rate, with 37% of students graduating in 2017, three years after enrolling
- AAU has a diverse student body, with 54% of students coming from out of state and 24% from abroad
- AAU offers online courses for students who are unable to attend in-person classes

Academy of Art University has around 8,928 students enrolled, with 2,882 undergraduates
The Academy of Art University (AAU or ART U) is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. It was founded as the Academy of Advertising Art in 1929 and has since grown to become one of the largest property owners in the city. The university offers a range of art and design courses, with over 900 classes, 22 different schools, and 14 STEM programs. Students can choose to study online or on campus and can take advantage of the university's many resources, such as its eSports lounge and Veterans Resource Center.
In terms of enrollment, the Academy of Art University has around 8,928 students, with 2,882 undergraduates. Of these, 53% are women, and 47% are men. The university also has a significant number of graduate students, with 1,378 enrolled. The total number of female students is approximately 5,376, while there are about 3,552 male students. The university has a diverse student body, with 54.04% of students coming from out of state and 24.06% from outside the United States. The undergraduate student body is spread across 45 states, and the university attracts students from 114 countries, with the majority of international students coming from China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The Academy of Art University has a 100% admission acceptance rate and offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in about 22 subjects. The university provides a range of student housing options and participates in the NY Fashion Week event bi-annually. It also hosts an annual spring show that showcases student work from the school's 75 disciplines.
The university has a diverse faculty, with 1,046 female teachers and 1,225 male teachers. It also has a strong athletics program, with student-athletes competing in the NCAA Division II and excelling in various sports such as cross country and track and field.
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The university has 121 full-time teachers and 485 part-time staff
Academy of Art University (AAU or ART U) is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1929 as the Académie of Advertising Art, a school for advertising art. The university offers a range of art and design courses, with over 900 classes, 22 different schools, and 14 STEM programs. Students can choose to study online or on campus. In addition to its academic programs, AAU is also known for its participation in New York Fashion Week and its annual spring show, which showcases student work from various disciplines.
In terms of faculty, as of the fall of 2024, AAU had 121 full-time teachers and 485 part-time teaching staff. This means that the university has a significant number of part-time staff, almost four times the number of full-time teachers. The university also employs other staff members who work in different departments and contribute to the overall functioning of the institution. These staff members may include administrative personnel, support staff, technical staff, and other specialists who ensure the smooth operation of the university and provide various services to support the students and faculty.
The faculty at AAU is diverse, with more male teachers than female teachers. According to estimates, there are approximately 1,046 female teachers and 1,225 male teachers. AAU values diversity and this is reflected not only in its faculty but also in its student body. The university attracts students from different backgrounds and age groups, with a traditional college student being between the ages of 18 and 21. AAU has a relatively lower percentage of traditional-age students, with only 21.69% falling into this category, compared to the national average of 60%.
The university also has a significant number of international students, with 54.04% of students coming from out of state and 24.06% from other countries. AAU's international students represent 114 countries, with the majority coming from China, Taiwan, and South Korea. This diversity enriches the university community and contributes to a global perspective on campus. AAU's total enrollment is approximately 8,928 students, including undergraduates and graduate students. The undergraduate population consists of 53% women and 47% men, while the graduate student body is made up of approximately 65% women and 35% men.
AAU provides a range of support services and resources to its students, including accommodation options, financial aid, and dedicated support for military and veteran students. The university also offers distance education courses and has an open admissions policy, making higher education accessible to a wider range of students. With its diverse student body, dedicated faculty, and focus on art and design, AAU offers a unique and enriching educational experience.
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AAU has a low graduation rate, with 37% of students graduating in 2017, three years after enrolling
The Academy of Art University (AAU) in San Francisco, California, is a private for-profit art school. It was founded in 1929 as the Académie of Advertising Art, a school for advertising art. AAU has approximately 8,928 students enrolled, with 2,882 undergraduates and 1,378 postgraduates. The gender breakdown of the student body is roughly 53% female and 47% male. The student population is diverse, with 54.04% of students coming from out of state and 24.06% from outside the United States. AAU has a low graduation rate, with 37% of students graduating in 2017, three years after enrolling. This is reflective of the school's low retention rate, with only 70% of students returning for their second year, slightly below the national average of 70.57%.
AAU's low graduation rate has been a cause for concern, with the school's accreditor expressing worry in 2016. The graduation rate for "full-time, first-time" students was 45% according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics in 2019. The six-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students in the class of 2015 was only 6%, significantly lower than the national average. After eight years, the graduation rate increased to 8%. In contrast, returning students in the class of 2015 who attended full-time had a higher-than-average six-year graduation rate of 54%.
The low graduation and retention rates at AAU may be influenced by various factors. One consideration is the school's open admissions policy, which results in a 100% admission acceptance rate. This may contribute to a higher proportion of students who are less prepared for the academic rigours of university-level education. Additionally, AAU has a significant population of part-time students, who often face unique challenges in completing their degrees within the same timeframe as full-time students. The transfer of students to other institutions after a year or two may also play a role in the low retention rate.
The graduation rates vary depending on the specific cohort examined. For example, first-time, full-time students represented 26% of the class of 2015 and accounted for 38.34% of bachelor's degree graduations. The four-year graduation rate for this cohort was 7%, while the six-year graduation rate increased to 38%. By the eight-year mark, 43% of this cohort had completed their degrees. These figures highlight the challenges faced by specific groups of students in completing their degrees within the traditional timeframe.
AAU's graduation rates are influenced by a range of factors, including student demographics, attendance status, and transfer rates. The school has taken steps to support its students, such as providing resources for military and veteran students. However, the low graduation and retention rates remain a concern, particularly for first-time, full-time students, who face additional challenges in completing their degrees on time.
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AAU has a diverse student body, with 54% of students coming from out of state and 24% from abroad
The Academy of Art University (AAU) is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. AAU has a diverse student body, with 54% of students coming from out of state and 24% from abroad. AAU ranks 94 out of 2,183 when it comes to geographic diversity. The undergraduate student body is spread across 45 states. AAU has students from 114 countries, with the majority of international students coming from China, Taiwan, and South Korea. AAU's total enrollment is approximately 8,928 students, with 2,882 undergraduates and 1,378 graduate students. The full-time undergraduate population is made up of 53% women and 47% men, while 65% of full-time graduate students are women and 35% are men. AAU has an open admissions policy and a 100% admission acceptance rate. The school offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in about 22 subjects, as well as online courses and an NCAA Division II athletics program.
AAU's urban campus is located in San Francisco's culturally diverse community, which is home to museums, parks, outdoor entertainment venues, beaches, and hiking trails. The university also offers student housing options at various locations throughout the city.
AAU provides a supportive environment for students with specific needs, such as disabled students or those from the military and veteran community. The university assists students in building professional-quality portfolios and offers additional resources like a Veteran's Resource Center and dedicated advisors.
With over 900 art and design classes across 22 schools and 14 STEM programs, AAU offers a range of educational paths for its diverse student body. Students can choose to study online or on campus, allowing for flexibility and accessibility for those who may have geographical or health-related constraints.
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AAU offers online courses for students who are unable to attend in-person classes
The Academy of Art University (AAU) is a private for-profit art school in San Francisco, California. It offers over 900 art and design classes, 22 different schools, and 14 STEM programs. AAU has approximately 8,928 students enrolled, with 2,882 undergraduates and 1,378 graduates. The university offers a flexible online education option for students who are unable to attend in-person classes.
AAU's online courses provide the same rigorous education as its on-campus courses, with the added benefit of greater flexibility. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time, and can access the coursework and submit assignments through the Academy's Learning Management System (LMS). The coursework includes videos, narrated slideshows, digital documents, interviews with experts, livestreams, and more. AAU's online education also offers a wide range of resources and support, including an online library, music library, learning tutorials, career advice, mentor chats, one-on-one sessions with directors, and a thriving online community.
AAU's online fine arts degree programs cater to the needs of distant learners. The classes are taught by the same qualified professionals who teach on-site, and students are given access to a variety of resources to enhance their learning experience. The online programs offer a collaborative community of peers, where students can interact and exchange thoughts, post work, and provide and receive constructive feedback, just as they would in a campus environment.
The university's flexible online education allows students to earn an accredited art and design degree from anywhere in the world. Students can study in real-time or on-demand, fitting their education around their schedule. AAU's online courses are a great option for those who are unable to attend in-person classes, offering a rich and engaging learning experience that is tailored to the needs of its students.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Academy of Art University has approximately 8,928 students enrolled, with 2,882 undergraduates and 1,378 graduates.
In 2015, approximately 35% of all students at the Academy of Art University were online-only.
There are approximately 5,376 female students and 3,552 male students at the Academy of Art University.
A traditional college student is defined as being between the ages of 18 and 21. At Academy of Art University, only 21.69% of students fall into that category, compared to the national average of 60%.
The Academy of Art University has an admission acceptance rate of 100%.









































