Art School Acceptance Rates and Tuition Compared
| School | Location | Acceptance Rate | SAT / ACT | Tuition | Top Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Providence, RI | 14% | 1340 to 1510 / 29 to 33 | $63,966/year | Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Illustration |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) | Chicago, IL | 79% | ACT 22 to 25 (SAT not commonly reported) | $56,420/year | Painting, Animation, Fashion Design |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) | Valencia, CA | 25% | Not required | $60,650/year | Animation, Film, Fine Arts |
| Pratt Institute | Brooklyn, NY | 53% | 1160 to 1430 / 26 to 31 | $61,915/year | Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, CA | Under 10% (university wide) | Not considered, UC system is test blind | ~$43,000/year in state, ~$64,000 out of state (estimated total cost of attendance) | Film, Television, Visual Arts |
| Yale School of Art | New Haven, CT | 6% | Graduate program, no SAT/ACT required | $48,500/year | Fine Arts, Photography, Painting and Printmaking |
| The Cooper Union | New York, NY | 19% | Test optional (verify current policy on admissions page) | $44,550/year | Architecture, Fine Arts |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) | Savannah, GA | 84% | 1060 to 1280 / 20 to 28 | $41,630/year | Animation, Fashion Design, Graphic Design |
| New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts | New York, NY | 12% | 1470 to 1570 (NYU wide admitted profile, Tisch does not publish its own range) | $60,438/year | Drama, Film and Television, Interactive Media Arts |
| Carnegie Mellon University, College of Fine Arts | Pittsburgh, PA | 23% (university wide) | Considered, range not published | $67,020/year | Drama, Design, Architecture, Fine Arts |
| Parsons School of Design | New York, NY | 52% | Test optional | $57,978/year | Fashion Design, Product Design, Interior Design |
| Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles, CA | 84% | Considered, range not published | $55,200/year | Digital Media, Fashion Design, Fine Arts |
| ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena, CA | 75% | Test optional | $53,086/year | Industrial Design, Film, Illustration |
| Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) | Baltimore, MD | 74% | Test optional | $55,970/year | Fine Arts, Illustration, Graphic Design |
Cost figures are estimated totals for the current published cycle and change annually. Where noted, figures represent estimated total cost of attendance rather than tuition alone. Acceptance rates fluctuate by cycle, so confirm current numbers on each school’s admissions page before you build your final list.
You can now see exactly how selective these programs are. Getting in at 6 to 25 percent acceptance rates comes down to the application essay as much as the portfolio, and help with essay writing is available if you want to start there, or keep reading for the full breakdown of each school.
1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
RISD admits about 14 percent of applicants, making it one of the most selective art schools in the country, alongside Yale and UCLA’s visual arts programs. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD pairs a rigorous studio curriculum with renowned faculty across painting, industrial design, and illustration.
| Acceptance Rate | 14% |
| SAT / ACT | 1340 to 1510 / 29 to 33 |
| Famous Alumni | Shepard Fairey, Kara Walker, David Byrne |
| Notable Programs | Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Illustration |
| Tuition | $63,966/year |
2. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
SAIC accepts roughly 79 percent of applicants, a far more accessible entry point than RISD or Yale, while still offering one of the most respected interdisciplinary art programs in the country. Based in Chicago, SAIC blends fine arts with design and technology across a diverse, dynamic campus.
| Acceptance Rate | 79% |
| ACT | 22 to 25 |
| Famous Alumni | Georgia O’Keeffe, Jeff Koons, Grant Wood |
| Notable Programs | Painting, Drawing, Animation, Fashion Design |
| Tuition | $56,420/year |
3. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
CalArts admits about 25 percent of applicants and does not require standardized test scores, putting more weight on portfolio and artistic potential. Founded by Walt Disney in Valencia, California, CalArts is best known for its avant garde approach and its outsized influence on animation and visual effects careers.
| Acceptance Rate | 25% |
| SAT / ACT | Not required |
| Famous Alumni | Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Edie Falco |
| Notable Programs | Animation, Film, Music, Theatre, Fine Arts |
| Tuition | $60,650/year |
4. Pratt Institute: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Pratt admits about 53 percent of applicants, with a typical SAT range of 1160 to 1430 and ACT range of 26 to 31. Located in Brooklyn, Pratt is particularly strong in architecture, industrial design, and visual arts, with both undergraduate and graduate programs.
| Acceptance Rate | 53% |
| SAT / ACT | 1160 to 1430 / 26 to 31 |
| Famous Alumni | Ellsworth Kelly, Jean Michel Basquiat, Ron Perlman |
| Notable Programs | Architecture, Industrial Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design |
| Tuition | $61,915/year |
5. UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture: Acceptance Rate, Cost, and Programs
UCLA’s overall undergraduate admission rate runs under 10 percent, making it one of the most selective entries on this list, though it is included here as a university with a nationally recognized arts college rather than a dedicated art school.
The School of the Arts and Architecture does not publish a separate acceptance rate for its programs, though admission to specific arts majors is often considered more competitive than the university average. Students get research level resources and strong industry connections, especially in film and television.
| Acceptance Rate | Under 10% (university wide, school does not publish its own figure) |
| SAT / ACT | Not considered, the UC system is test blind |
| Cost | ~$43,000/year in state, ~$64,000 out of state (estimated total cost of attendance) |
| Famous Alumni | Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, Justin Lin |
| Notable Programs | Film, Television, Theater, Dance, Visual Arts |
6. Yale School of Art: Acceptance Rate and Admissions
Yale’s School of Art admits roughly 6 percent of applicants and is widely regarded as one of the most selective graduate art programs in the country. It is a graduate level program only, so applicants do not submit SAT or ACT scores.
Located in New Haven, Connecticut, it carries a strong emphasis on contemporary art practice and an elite reputation in photography and painting.
CollegeEssay.org’s writers see the personal statement carry more weight at programs under 20 percent acceptance than most applicants expect. Portfolio quality gets you considered. The essay determines the offer.
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| SAT / ACT | Not applicable, graduate program only |
| Famous Alumni | Chuck Close, Richard Serra, Eva Hesse |
| Notable Programs | Fine Arts, Photography, Painting and Printmaking, Graphic Design |
| Tuition | $48,500/year |
7. The Cooper Union: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Cooper Union admits about 19 percent of applicants and is one of the most selective art and architecture schools in the country. The school has moved toward test optional admissions in recent cycles, though you should verify the current policy on their admissions page before applying. Though full tuition scholarships have been reduced in recent years, the school still provides substantial financial aid to admitted students in New York City.
| Acceptance Rate | 19% |
| SAT / ACT | Test optional (verify current policy on admissions page) |
| Famous Alumni | Daniel Libeskind, Shepard Fairey, and Bob Dylan, who attended but did not graduate |
| Notable Programs | Architecture, Fine Arts, Engineering |
| Tuition | $44,550/year |
8. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
SCAD admits about 84 percent of applicants, making it one of the most accessible nationally recognized art schools on this list, with a typical SAT range of 1060 to 1280. With campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, SCAD offers heavily industry connected programs across fashion, animation, and film.
| Acceptance Rate | 84% |
| SAT / ACT | 1060 to 1280 / 20 to 28 |
| Famous Alumni | Guy Harvey, Hayden Panettiere |
| Notable Programs | Animation, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Architecture |
| Tuition | $41,630/year |
SCAD and Otis admit about 84 percent of applicants and are far more respected than most students realize. RISD and Yale are worth applying to only if your portfolio is genuinely competitive.
9. NYU Tisch School of the Arts: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Tisch admits about 12 percent of applicants and is one of the most selective performing and cinematic arts programs in the country. The SAT range below reflects NYU’s overall admitted student profile, since Tisch does not publish a separate range for its own applicant pool. Located in New York City, Tisch gives students direct access to Broadway, film studios, and off Broadway theaters.
| Acceptance Rate | 12% |
| SAT / ACT | 1470 to 1570 (NYU wide admitted profile, not Tisch specific) |
| Famous Alumni | Lady Gaga, Martin Scorsese, Alec Baldwin |
| Notable Programs | Drama, Film and Television, Interactive Media Arts, Performance Studies |
| Tuition | $60,438/year |
10. Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Carnegie Mellon’s overall university acceptance rate runs about 23 percent, though the College of Fine Arts is typically more selective than the university as a whole and does not publish a separate figure. Located in Pittsburgh, CMU is known for integrating arts and technology through programs in drama, design, architecture, and fine arts within a research university setting.
| Acceptance Rate | ~23% university wide, College of Fine Arts does not publish its own figure |
| Famous Alumni | Andy Warhol, Billy Porter, Holly Hunter |
| Notable Programs | Drama, Design, Architecture, Fine Arts |
| Tuition | $67,020/year |
11. Parsons School of Design: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Parsons admits about 52 percent of applicants and does not require standardized test scores. Located in New York City, Parsons is a global leader in fashion and product design, with frequent collaborations between students and top design brands.
| Acceptance Rate | 52% |
| SAT / ACT | Test optional |
| Famous Alumni | Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan |
| Notable Programs | Fashion Design, Product Design, Interior Design |
| Tuition | $57,978/year |
12. Otis College of Art and Design: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
Otis admits about 84 percent of applicants, making it one of the more accessible schools on this list, with a strong focus on industry driven programs. Located in Los Angeles, Otis emphasizes hands on learning and direct connections to fashion, entertainment, and design employers.
| Acceptance Rate | 84% |
| Famous Alumni | Rick Owens, Geoff McFetridge |
| Notable Programs | Digital Media, Fashion Design, Fine Arts |
| Tuition | $55,200/year |
13. ArtCenter College of Design: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
ArtCenter admits about 75 percent of applicants and does not require standardized test scores, with admissions weighted heavily toward portfolio strength. Located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter is globally known for industrial, automotive, and entertainment design.
| Acceptance Rate | 75% |
| SAT / ACT | Test optional |
| Famous Alumni | Michael Bay, Syd Mead, Zack Snyder |
| Notable Programs | Industrial Design, Film, Illustration |
| Tuition | $53,086/year |
14. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and Programs
MICA admits about 74 percent of applicants and does not require standardized test scores, placing the full weight of admissions decisions on portfolio quality and creative potential. Located in Baltimore, MICA is one of the oldest continuously degree-granting colleges of art in the country and is consistently ranked among the best fine arts programs in the US for painting, illustration, and graphic design.
| Acceptance Rate | 74% |
| SAT / ACT | Test optional |
| Famous Alumni | Molly Crabapple, Grace Hartigan, and Cab Calloway, who attended but did not graduate |
| Notable Programs | Fine Arts, Illustration, Graphic Design, Curatorial Practice |
| Tuition | $55,970/year |
You have worked through what actually separates these programs beyond the name on the diploma. When you have your shortlist and you are ready to start writing, get essay help online. Art school admissions teams read thousands of personal statements, and the ones that stand out are built around a specific creative voice, not a generic narrative about loving art.
How to Choose Between Art Schools
The single most important factor when choosing between art schools is whether the program’s curriculum matches your specific discipline. Location and faculty are close behind because both directly affect what jobs you can reach while still in school.
CollegeEssay.org’s writers work with students applying to programs across the full selectivity range. Personal statements matter at selective programs even when a portfolio is required.
Curriculum depth matters more than the school’s name. Look closely at whether the program combines technical training with critical theory and contemporary practice, not just studio time. A modern curriculum should prepare you to apply your skills in a real industry context, not just a classroom one.
Facilities and equipment access shape what you can actually make. Some schools offer extensive digital labs, on site museums, and specialized studios for welding, laser cutting, or fabrication. If your focus area depends on specific equipment, confirm the school has it before you apply, not after you enroll.
Faculty who are practicing artists matter for mentorship. Art education is personal, and the strongest programs hire teachers who are still working and exhibiting in their field, not only teaching about it.
Location affects your career runway as much as your education. Schools in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago put you closer to galleries, studios, and entry level industry jobs while you are still in school, which can matter more than ranking once you graduate.
You now know which art schools fit your goals and your realistic odds of getting in. The harder part is writing a personal statement that stands out in an applicant pool this selective. CollegeEssay.org can help with your essay. Tell us your target schools, and we will help you make the strongest possible case for why you belong there.
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