79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 274-2222
Email: BDrake@academyart.edu
Website: www.academyart.edu
Academy of Art University was founded by artists for artists in 1929, and we continue to believe that hiring industry experts as faculty is the best way to meet our mission of preparing aspiring professionals for the fields of design, communication, and the arts. We offer AA, AAS, BA, BFA, BS, B.Arch, MA, MFA, and M.Arch programs at our campus in downtown San Francisco and online
Academy of Art University’s onsite and online degree programs are regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC) through 2029. We have programmatic accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Academy of Art University is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
According to the most recent profile report (2024) available on our website, our student body was comprised of 71% undergraduate and 29% graduate students, 54% of which were female. Twenty-two percent of all students were international(non-residents), 24% White, 19% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 13% African American, 7% two or more races, 0.5% native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 7% race/ethnicity unknown.
Academy of Art University was built on the educational philosophy that students interested in studying art, design, and communications deserve the opportunity to do so. It is our belief that all students who are willing to make the appropriate commitment have the ability to learn professional-level skills. For this reason, we maintain an inclusive admissions policy, and students of all skills levels, beginning to advanced, are accommodated with the proper coursework.