The Academy of Art University

STUDENTS BEWARE! ... If I could give this school zero stars, I would. This is an institution hard up on taking your money. They are not in the business of educating people. You're better off going to a State University or even a community college. First off, any of those options would be a more legitimate school than AAU. Second, you'll end up with a whole lot less student debt/loans/money paid to this school. Try $824/a credit. You'll be left with more debt than an average job you can get with a college degree from their school (although, they love to lie and say otherwise). Oh and beware, if you decide to get behind on your payments, they've been known to cut off your classes, still charge you for the full semester (b/c after a certain period you can't get any refund, even if you withdraw), and after they will hold your transcripts to any other school. So if you plan on transferring to get out of that blood sucking black hole they try to pass off as a college ... you can just forget about it. They are all peaches and smiles when you first apply ... and really, they let anyone apply -- all you really need is a pulse -- just read those other reviews. Most of the good reviews are all from newbie students who don't know any better yet. If you're considering dorming while you're on campus, prepared to cough up more money 10K/semester... this school owns more real estate than most in San Francisco, because let me reiterate, they are in the business of taking your money. SO, if you'd like a third rate college, where no one will really take your degree seriously, you'd like a heaping load of college debt and students loans, non-responsive student advisors, a school who let's anyone off the street in, and a below average education ... this is definitely the school for you. My personal advice .... RUN, far, far away. You're better off going to a a 2 year college to save some money and transferring to a legitimate school that people in the real world actually consider a real, RESPECTABLE college. How they even were able to call themselves a University is beyond me. All you really need to do is read the rest of the reviews, there are so many bad ones. Look up a state or legitimate University -- they don't have a plethora of awful reviews like AAU. You can't say you weren't warned.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A, Education Quality: F

Tuition is quite expensive, for 24 units a years it's about $20,00 not including room and board. San Francisco is an expensive city, add another $18,000 for room and board, and another $1,000-$10,000 a year on supplies depending on what department your in. So for a years worth at the Academy of Art, it's going to cost you about $45,000 a year. To get your BA in fine arts, it takes you about 5 years to gradate. A grand total of $225,000.

4th Year Female -- Class 2011

Education Quality: A+, Social Life: F

DO NOT go to the Academy of Art University! The only things that they are concerned about are money and skewing the data to make it seem like their graduates are successful. They do not care if you actually learn anything from them. They overcharge for every aspect of their company. Once they ask alumnis about their out of school work experience, they only use the data that reflects well on their "school" and bury the information of all of the many, many alumni who can not find work, so they can tell new students considering attending their school that something in the 90 percent range of alumnis find work in their chosen field shortly out of school. This is a lie. Let me repeat, this is a lie! And I am one of the students who was actually a very good student, getting good grades, and becoming involved in the school.

Find another school who will actually teach you and help you make the transition to a career. One that will not just steal your money and leave you in helpless straights.Going to this school is one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Don't make the same mistake. DO NOT even consider going to the Academy of Art University!!!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000