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Academy of Art University

135 Reviews

Locations:   San Francisco (CA) 

Annual Tuition: $26,728

33% of students said this degree improved their career prospects
44% of students said they would recommend this school to others

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Student Reviews

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Donnie Desmond

Reviewed: 5/18/2023

Degree: Architecture

This place is average at best. I would not recommend this school, I plan on transferring in the Fall. The quality of education and feedback from professors was not good. Questions were asked as if this is correct or not. Answers were given as yes and no. We will attend to this later. Which later meant, it was done and we would not discuss it again.

M

Reviewed: 4/24/2023

Degree: Fashion

I took one summer semester of classes and not even a quarter semester of fall classes before QUICKLY dropping out. I decided on AOAU because they were the only school to offer online fashion and design classes, that alone should’ve been a red flag, plus I didn’t think to look into student reviews and their 10% graduation rate. Before starting, the teachers each give you a supply list of things they say you need. You don’t actually need them btw. I wasted so much money on things I never once used... Read More

Ariel

Reviewed: 3/15/2023

Degree: Video Game Design

Bad school with professors who are too poor or even inferior to the students. Only a tiny percentage of professors give you useful advice. Usually, the traditional painting teachers are good, and you could have nice fundament courses. However, most teachers do not have enough aesthetics and are competent enough. You could have a terrible experience in your major courses. They will give you excessive assignments, weird feedback, and extremely low grades. And, most assignments are useless to your future... Read More

Paige Asper

Reviewed: 2/1/2023

Degree: Interior Design

I attended this school for 2 years I watched the cost of tuition increase each year. They made this school seem financially attainable by offering me a income based scholarship to cover out of pocket cost after aid. They then changed the requirements that you had to take more classes in order to keep the scholarship. That seemed fine but there's a catch they will only cover a certain amount leaving me with the choice of taking more classes getting the scholarship and still having to pay $3000 a semester... Read More

James

Reviewed: 12/20/2022

Degree: UX/UI Design

Yes there are a few bad teachers who phone it in. I only prob had 2 witching the 2 years I was there. I think we could of gotten more than one case example completed in one class. But curriculum has a good overview and skills in web design, coding, motion, critical thinking of which were applicable in the real world. Self accountability. You get what you put in. If you’re looking to finish quick without effort then you wont’t get anything from online course. You need to put in the work for the classes... Read More

Skylar

Reviewed: 10/4/2022

Degree: Computer Animation

The online portion of this school is a scam. I went for half a semester and quickly dropped out because of the quality. Their programs were outdated and were showing videos that were made 15 years ago. The teaching staff were not helpful as they only provided feedback after you submitted an assignment. There was no help during the week until the assignment was due. The finance department of the school is also a nightmare to deal with.

Taylor

Reviewed: 11/27/2021

Degree: Art & Design

#1 they took a semester and a half to transfer (VERY few of credits from 3 years of school, focused on design) #2 Took a semester and a half to do a portfolio review that didn't do anything even though I scored top in my class the last semester. #3 tried adding a bunch of years to my education for their money. #4 teaching OLD methods (before CAD; now designers use viral reality). #5 unfair and totally subjective graders and manipulators. #6 filed a complaint against me a MONTH after I withdrew from... Read More

B

Reviewed: 10/19/2021

Degree: Web Design

This school is just horrendous. Their new Financial aid system now REJECTS any other expenses other than classes which they have increased by at least $1,000. So even though you ASKED and NEED some assistance from the school because they offered it, it just automatically gets rejected. This school is severally subpar. Not to mention the school has a fraud charge against them for accepting a lard number of under-qualified candidates that are unlikely to graduate and pay back their loans. So, onto... Read More

Anonymous

Reviewed: 10/13/2021

Degree: Web Design

There is a review left on here from 2017 that someone made about the graduate WNM program and the poor quality of education they received. I can 1,000% agree with that review. My experience at this school and with the WNM program in general has been subpar to say the least. I’ve had more bad instructors than I had good ones. Another point made in that 2017 review was getting worked to death in the portfolio class. Also 1,000% true. Yeah, you should work for the degree and job you want, but it’s as... Read More

Jack

Reviewed: 8/18/2021

Degree: Video Game Design

I’ve taken FASCU 632 OL1: Ecorche (FASCU 270) for this summer semester, and the class was the worst I ever had. Every week there were just dozens of tedious videos that weren’t easy to follow at all. The instructor didn’t provide any personal instruction in the beginning of every module. I had a hard time following the class and couldn't post on time at all. Finally I failed even if I tried my best and submitted my work for the final. I was feeling very frustrated and depressed because of it. It... Read More

KW

Reviewed: 6/16/2021

Degree: Art & Design

They lied and now 15 years later I'm still paying for it! This con artist school boasted a 90% job placement rate when I applied in 2000. By 2001 I was blindingly taking out student loans to attend this institution, believing them that upon graduation I would be ready and knowledgeable enough to work in the industry and begin to pay off the debt. 15 years later I still can't believe what a bone headed choice that was. I applied to hundreds of jobs and over asked over 200 artist reps for their services.... Read More

Summer

Reviewed: 5/26/2021

Degree: Architecture

In the Interior Architecture & Design course, you will learn the basics of design and how it plays a role in the real world. The course also includes hands-on activities such as creating a portfolio and presenting it in front of students. The faculty and staff are also relatively nice, so you can ask them anything if you have any questions. We also have students who are not from the U.S., so there are many opportunities to meet people.

Robyn

Reviewed: 5/25/2021

Degree: Art History

I keep seeing really sucky comments about my college, how everyone says it’s a scam and teachers don’t actually provide any real learning information etc etc. They say everyone is set up for failure and that no one graduates because they want you to keep paying. I have had nothing but phenomenal professors. The director of art history took time to basically just chill and talk to me about art for an hour last semester. She cares that much. I have been so impressed by how much I have grown at this... Read More

anonymous

Reviewed: 3/1/2021

Degree: Marketing

I guess everyone has a different view of this school but in my experience, I feel like it's been very good. My advisor was very attentive and the teachers have been good and easy to understand, the classes are a little hard and you do have to put in a little extra to get good grades. Because it's 100% rate, there are a lot of people who have no idea what they are doing and don't put in the work and their homework's just sloppy and might not get as much attention from the professor as he gives students... Read More

Elizabeth

Reviewed: 2/20/2021

Degree: Art & Design

AAU is overall a decent school. I’m doing part time online classes, and I have found the classes to be hit or miss. It’s like that for many universities, however. The majority of instructors have been helpful, especially in the foundational classes. The school is fast paced, and you will have to put in a lot of work like any other school. Sometimes I wish the instructors were a bit more helpful, I had one instructor tell me that my work was just horrid without telling me what to improve. But I’ve... Read More

Corey

Reviewed: 2/12/2021

Degree: Architecture

Reading these reviews, I am thoroughly surprised with the experiences these people have had. I work full time for a stand-alone healthcare facility as the in-house interior architect. To further solidify my position, the masters degree made sense and I have to say that each and every class I have had so far has been increasingly relevant to my career. The instructors are phenomenal and did a wonderful job during the Covid-19 crisis to keep me engaged. I am unsure how the other programs rate; however,... Read More

Artist Man

Reviewed: 12/19/2020

Degree: Computer Animation

RIP OFF ! This ''university'' preys on the young and naive people with dreams to work in the creative industries. They grossly overcharge for tuition and student housing with astronomically high prices which are not equal to the quality of education or facilities one would expect for such high prices. Just do a simple google search about this school's misconduct with predatory recruiting practices, improper real-state dealings, and a ridiculous private vintage car collection worth millions which... Read More

Tiffany

Reviewed: 12/12/2020

Degree: Photography

Awful school. I was conned out of money. I have a master’s degree and nothing to show for it. They taught outdated programs. Programs no one in the photo industry uses. I tried to assist photographers after I graduated and had no idea how to use the programs that are a standard in the industry. The professionals I tried to work for couldn’t believe it. Don’t go here! I have no career and massive amounts of debt.

JDL

Reviewed: 10/16/2020

Degree: Art & Design

I was beyond excited when I started classes here (online) and in the very beginning it went rather well. But to be frank it got to the point that the massive cost of the classes were not worth what I was getting out of it. I learned a lot and really finely honed some skills during the first couple years. Deterioration began with my many different advisors. They didn't advise me on what classes to take so I just took to the course list and winged it. When they did step in they completely insisted... Read More

Former Student

Reviewed: 9/24/2020

Degree: Art & Design

Don't go to to this school speaking from personal experience. Back in 2019, I applied here. I kept seeing ads for this school and decided to apply. Not even 2 seconds later, they were calling me and wanted to do all the paperwork to get me started for the spring semester. I was taken aback but I went through the process. I was actually exited because I really wanted to go back to school and study Fine Arts. Already, they asked for $50 for the application fee...ok? Then, they were asking $95 for the... Read More

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