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Art Academy of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH·Private nonprofit·205 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. freshman retention is below 65%; earnings barely cover the debt load. 51% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.

34%
Accept
205
Students
$34,253
Net Price
41%
Grad Rate
$30,100
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private nonprofit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio with approximately 205 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 34% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $34,253 per year. The graduation rate is 41%, and the typical graduate earns $30,100 within 10 years of enrollment.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private college of art and design in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded as the McMicken School of Design in 1869, and was a department of the University of Cincinnati, and later in 1887, became the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the museum school of the Cincinnati Art Museum. The college is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and a member of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 33% acceptance rate suggests some selectivity, but a 44% graduation rate and 62% freshman retention rate mean a significant portion of students don't make it through, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. The median earnings of $30,100 ten years out are modest — especially weighed against a $38,041 annual net price — so students should have a clear plan for how an art degree translates into sustainable income. Worth considering if you're passionate about studio art and Cincinnati's creative community, but go in with eyes open about the financial math.

Founded
1869
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$5,527

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts95%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Richard F. OutcaultElizabeth NourseEnid Yandell

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$41,375
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,375
Avg Net Price
$34,253
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$33,835
$30–48k$26,702
$48–75k$34,052
$75–110k$41,927
$110k+$36,786

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants51%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
41%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
51%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,100
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$25,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,100
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.1x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White67%
Black17%
Hispanic/Latino5%
Two or more races6%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (205 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Art Academy of Cincinnati

1212 Jackson Street

Cincinnati, OH 45202-1706

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Ohio

Browse all Ohio schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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