Academy of Art vs Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)

Academy of Art University and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, both esteemed institutions dedicated to nurturing artistic talent, present distinct educational experiences. Academy of Art University, located in the heart of San Francisco, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of programs, while Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, nestled in the vibrant city of Denver, offers a more intimate learning environment and a focus on traditional art forms. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, these institutions cater to different aspirations and learning styles. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your unique artistic journey and academic goals.
Academy of Art University logo

Academy of Art University

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design logo

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Overview

Location San Francisco, California Lakewood, Colorado
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (For Profit) Private (For Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 69.0% 60.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission Open Admission
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
High school GPA N/A N/A
Recommendation letters N/A N/A
High school transcript N/A N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) N/A N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $48,772 $36,403
Average net price $32,593 $22,837
Tuition $24,624 $19,425
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $12,944

Meal plan: $6,542
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

80.0%
Average amount $9,848
88.0%
Average amount $6,483
Students receiving federal student loan 54.0%
Average amount $5,958
71.0%
Average amount $9,131
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $31,298
9.0%
Average amount $9,750

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 5,363
Men 43.4% Women 56.6%
1,837
Men 24.0% Women 76.0%
Graduate students 2,442
Men 34.0% Women 66.0%
12
Men 25.0% Women 75.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 65.9% N/A
International students 24.2% 0.0%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,280 N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? No N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Texas New York Florida Washington N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Communications Technology
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Communications Technology
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 38.0% 43.4%
Dropout rate 36.0% 43.4%
Transferred out 20.7% 13.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,653
  • Year 2: $88,417
  • Year 3: $69,026
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $66,077
  • Year 3: $63,589
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $61,681
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,476
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $54,958
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,823
  • Year 3: $49,833
Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,701
  • Year 2: $45,340
  • Year 3: $47,730
Graphic Communications (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $34,420
  • Year 3: $42,284
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $36,132
  • Year 3: $40,098
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,222
  • Year 2: $33,809
  • Year 3: $37,527
Music (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,942
  • Year 3: $35,817
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,370
  • Year 2: $27,474
  • Year 3: $34,961
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,457
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,227
  • Year 2: $35,274
  • Year 3: N/A
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A

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