School of Visual Arts
About
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is a private college located in New York City that specializes in educating artists, designers, and other creative professionals. Founded in 1947, it currently offers 30 programs and has an enrollment of approximately 6,000 students supported by over 1,100 faculty members.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 14.2-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 17 Title IV programs, 5 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 6 fail. 6 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Pass / fail distribution
- Passing5 · 29.4%
- No Data6 · 35.3%
- Failing6 · 35.3%
Severity spectrum
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Near the line (±5%)
Programs within five points of the pass line, one cohort year from flipping.
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Programmatic accreditations · 2
Action history · 6
- Aug 2025Grant Substantive Change: OwnershipMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
- Jun 2021Voluntary Withdrawal ReceivedNational Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- May 2020Renewal of AccreditationNational Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- Oct 2017Renewal of AccreditationNational Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- Jun 2017Renewal of AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 645 students received $4.0M in Pell grants, alongside $28.9M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 627 borrowers who entered repayment, 8 (1.2%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate vs national, by cohort
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at School of Visual Arts
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
3-year trend
Criminal offenses by type
By location
- On campus7
- Public property1
Includes 4 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).
VAWA offenses
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
Residence-hall fires
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
School of Visual Arts vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions School of Visual Arts selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectSchool of Visual Arts | 76% | — | 3,812 | $57,914 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| 41% | 34.5% | 213 | $34,253 | — | |
| 79% | 74.5% | 2,308 | $48,661 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 61% | 91.1% | 1,308 | $53,909 | — | |
| 67% | 32.3% | 1,277 | $46,080 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | |
| 58% | 61.3% | 545 | $29,208 | — | |
| 71% | 91.9% | 1,433 | $34,617 | — | |
| 56% | 67.7% | 916 | $29,439 | — | |
| 56% | 62.2% | 505 | $40,062 | — | |
| — | — | 113 | — | — | |
| 58% | 54.8% | 813 | $27,650 | — | |
| 52% | 94.3% | 775 | $42,505 | — | |
| 52% | 76.1% | 475 | $38,338 | — | |
| 72% | 76.8% | 1,687 | $42,729 | — | |
| 69% | 76.3% | 1,989 | $24,100 | — | |
| 67% | 60.5% | 838 | $26,541 | — | |
| 51% | 48.5% | 831 | $29,926 | — | |
| 53% | — | 227 | $33,216 | Baccalaureate | |
| 57% | 56.5% | 549 | $43,086 | — | |
| 66% | 81.8% | 1,267 | $51,248 | — | |
| 29% | 74.8% | 466 | $35,785 | — | |
| 58% | — | 41 | $42,454 | — | |
| 69% | 99.2% | 414 | $30,083 | — | |
| 74% | 73.3% | 5,356 | $52,659 | — | |
| 89% | 18.7% | 2,520 | $50,507 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 72% | 69.7% | 1,666 | $57,742 | — | |
| 67% | 77.5% | 3,394 | $49,790 | — | |
| 81% | 20.7% | 933 | $13,269 | Baccalaureate | |
University of the Arts | 69% | 78.2% | — | $44,154 | — |
| Peer group median | 67% | 73.3% | 877 | $41,258 |
Institutions like School of Visual Arts
Explore the federal data for institutions in School of Visual Arts's comparison group.
- Ohio
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Grad rate41%Admit rate34.5%Enrollment213Net price$34,253View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsCalifornia
Art Center College of Design
Grad rate79%Admit rate74.5%Enrollment2,308Net price$48,661View data - California
California College of the Arts
Grad rate61%Admit rate91.1%Enrollment1,308Net price$53,909View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsCalifornia
California Institute of the Arts
Grad rate67%Admit rate32.3%Enrollment1,277Net price$46,080View data - Ohio
Cleveland Institute of Art
Grad rate58%Admit rate61.3%Enrollment545Net price$29,208View data - Michigan
College for Creative Studies
Grad rate71%Admit rate91.9%Enrollment1,433Net price$34,617View data - Ohio
Columbus College of Art & Design
Grad rate56%Admit rate67.7%Enrollment916Net price$29,439View data - Washington
Cornish College of the Arts
Grad rate56%Admit rate62.2%Enrollment505Net price$40,062View data - Michigan
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Grad rate—Admit rate—Enrollment113Net price—View data - Missouri
Kansas City Art Institute
Grad rate58%Admit rate54.8%Enrollment813Net price$27,650View data - California
Laguna College of Art and Design
Grad rate52%Admit rate94.3%Enrollment775Net price$42,505View data - Maine
Maine College of Art & Design
Grad rate52%Admit rate76.1%Enrollment475Net price$38,338View data - Maryland
Maryland Institute College of Art
Grad rate72%Admit rate76.8%Enrollment1,687Net price$42,729View data - Massachusetts
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Grad rate69%Admit rate76.3%Enrollment1,989Net price$24,100View data - Wisconsin
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Grad rate67%Admit rate60.5%Enrollment838Net price$26,541View data - Minnesota
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Grad rate51%Admit rate48.5%Enrollment831Net price$29,926View data - BaccalaureateMassachusetts
Montserrat College of Art
Grad rate53%Admit rate—Enrollment227Net price$33,216View data - Pennsylvania
Moore College of Art and Design
Grad rate57%Admit rate56.5%Enrollment549Net price$43,086View data - California
Otis College of Art and Design
Grad rate66%Admit rate81.8%Enrollment1,267Net price$51,248View data - Oregon
Pacific Northwest College of Art
Grad rate29%Admit rate74.8%Enrollment466Net price$35,785View data - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Grad rate58%Admit rate—Enrollment41Net price$42,454View data - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Grad rate69%Admit rate99.2%Enrollment414Net price$30,083View data - New York
Pratt Institute-Main
Grad rate74%Admit rate73.3%Enrollment5,356Net price$52,659View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsRhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Grad rate89%Admit rate18.7%Enrollment2,520Net price$50,507View data - Florida
Ringling College of Art and Design
Grad rate72%Admit rate69.7%Enrollment1,666Net price$57,742View data - Illinois
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Grad rate67%Admit rate77.5%Enrollment3,394Net price$49,790View data - BaccalaureateNew York
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Grad rate81%Admit rate20.7%Enrollment933Net price$13,269View data - Pennsylvania
University of the Arts
Grad rate69%Admit rate78.2%Enrollment—Net price$44,154
School of Visual Arts Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
The Office of Institutional Research’s mission is to collect and analyze institutional data to support SVA’s goals and strategies.
Visit IR office page- Jerold L. DavisDirector, Institutional Research
Reports & documents (7)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardsva.edu
- Data definitionOffice of Institutional Research | School of Visual ArtsThe School of Visual Arts' Office of Institutional Research is responsible for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to assist in management, operations, and planning. It plays a major role in processing College-wide data for better understanding and efficiency, and it supports teaching and learning through data-driven program assessments. The office disseminates institutional data and reports to various entities.sva.edu
- Data dictionaryData DictionaryThe Office of Institutional Research at the School of Visual Arts is responsible for collecting, organizing, and analyzing institutional data to support management, decision-making, and planning. It aids in understanding institutional perspectives and improving efficiency in resource use. The office also coordinates data dissemination, analyzes survey data, and assists with program reviews to enhance teaching and learning.sva.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookOffice of Institutional Research | School of Visual Arts | SVA NYC2023The Office of Institutional Research at the School of Visual Arts in NYC is responsible for collecting, organizing, and analyzing institutional data to support management and planning. It disseminates data, produces management information, and aids in program assessments to improve teaching and learning. Recent Factbooks from 2016 to 2023 and responses to accreditation self-studies are among its resources.sva.edu
- GlossaryOffice of Institutional Research | School of Visual Arts | SVA NYCThe Office of Institutional Research at the School of Visual Arts focuses on the collection, analysis, and dissemination of institutional data to support management, operations, decision-making, and planning. It provides data to governmental and accrediting bodies and assists departments in improving teaching and learning. The office offers several resources, including past annual Factbook reports and evaluation team reports for accreditation purposes.sva.edu
- Strategic planStrategic Plan | School of Visual Arts | SVA NYCThe School of Visual Arts' Strategic Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to guide the institution over the next five years during a period of significant change. Central to this plan are strategic priorities that focus on curriculum dynamism, diversity, cross-departmental collaboration, and leveraging New York City's cultural landscape. Importantly, the plan addresses the need for adaptability to demographic and regulatory shifts, with strategic initiatives aimed at enrollment management, governance transformation, and financial sustainability through the planned transition to nonprofit status.sva.edu
Grants & funding (1)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
Notable alumni of School of Visual Arts (21)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Aaron AugenblickAnimation
- John R. DilworthAnimation
- Rebecca SugarAnimation
- Dana TerraceAnimation
- Steve DitkoCartooning
- Keith HaringCartooning
- Gerard WayCartooning/Music
- Raina TelgemeierIllustration
- James JeanIllustration
- Jerry CraftCartooning
- Joe QuesadaCartooning
- Carlos SaldanhaFilm and video
Frequently asked questions about School of Visual Arts
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about School of Visual Arts.
What is the graduation rate at School of Visual Arts?
How many students attend School of Visual Arts?
What is the average net price at School of Visual Arts?
What is the yield rate at School of Visual Arts?
Where is School of Visual Arts located?
Who runs Institutional Research at School of Visual Arts?
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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