Campus Vibe
Known for computer science
School of Visual Arts is a private urban institution in New York, New York. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1337.
A mid-sized campus of 3.4K undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
75% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $46,459 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $58,628.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
School of Visual Arts Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1337
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Financial Aid
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
75.3%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$22,000
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
26
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Programs (17)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
88%
- •88% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •It was renamed the School of Visual Arts in 1956 and offered its first degrees in 1972.
- •In 1983, it introduced a Master of Fine Arts in painting, drawing and sculpture.
- •In 2024, the intersection of 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue was co-named SVA Way to recognize the school's institutional presence in the neighborhood since 1960.
- •On September 1, 2025, ownership of the school transitioned from the Rhodes family to the SVA Alumni Society.
- •This was part of a plan which began in 2019 as the school began the process of converting to a nonprofit organization; the SVA alumni organization is already an IRS tax-exempt entity.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average