What Was the Art Institutes Known For?
The Art Institutes were a distinguished private institute group with campuses located across the United States, including in Georgia, California, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, New York, and various other states. The network of institutions closed in September of 2023 due to declining enrollment and financial instability that was drastically worsened during the COVID pandemic.
Hosting an impressive 50 campuses and boasting an enrollment of over 80,000 students, The Art Institutes were known for providing a diverse range of educational opportunities. The institution offered associate and bachelor’s degrees, including specialized programs such as Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. Moreover, The Art Institutes catered to a broad spectrum of learners by also offering diploma and non-degree programs. This breadth of academic offerings and their commitment to fostering creative and artistic talents contribute to The Art Institutes’ reputation as a leading institution in the realm of arts education.
Were They Accredited?
The Art Institutes was accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Student Experience
The Art Institutes offered students a unique and worthwhile educational experience, making them a valuable choice for aspiring artists and creative minds. With an expansive presence across the United States, the institution provided a broad reach for students seeking artistic education. Boasting a student enrollment of over 80,000, The Art Institutes offered a diverse and inclusive community for budding artists. The extensive degree options catered to various artistic interests and career paths in visual design and culinary arts. Additionally, the institution’s commitment to providing diploma and non-degree programs ensured flexibility for learners with different goals. The Art Institutes stood out as a comprehensive hub for artistic education, fostering creativity, and preparing students for fulfilling careers in the arts, making them a worthy investment for those passionate about pursuing their artistic ambitions.
The Art Institutes stood out as a superior choice for students compared to traditional community colleges due to their specialized art programs. Offering an array of degree options in visual design, interior design, marketing, animation and effects, film and production, gaming and technology, fashion, culinary arts, among others, The Art Institutes provided students with a focused and immersive education in their chosen artistic field. What further set them apart was their commitment to financial aid, offering generous support to qualifying students. With full and partial scholarships available for both new and current students, The Art Institutes made artistic education more accessible. This financial assistance, combined with specialized programs, positioned The Art Institutes as a standout choice for students seeking a robust and supportive environment for their artistic aspirations.
How Much Did it Cost?
Tuition at the Art Institutes was charged per credit. Programs ranged from $24,075 per year to $29,475 per year for all degree levels, including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees. Further, the institution’s Art Grant program gave students the opportunity to earn tuition grants of up to $17,340 for bachelor’s degree programs and up to $5,845 for associate’s degree programs. They additionally accepted federal aid in the form of loans and grants, further emphasizing their dedication to student support.
School Catalog
A copy of the school’s catalog can still be found here.
Programs & Courses
Culinary
- Baking and Pastry
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Management
- Hospitality Management
Design
- Design & Media Management
- Design & Technical Graphics
- Graphic & Web Design
- Illustration
- Visual Arts
- Web Design & Interactive Media
- Interior Design
Fashion
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Marketing & Management
Media Arts
- Advertising
- Media Arts & Animation
- Audio Production
- Digital Filmmaking & Video Production
- Digital Photography
- Game Art & Design
Campus Locations
Miami, FL 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Ste 100, Miami, FL 33132
Tampa, FL 4401 N Himes Ave. #150, Tampa, FL 33614
Atlanta, GA 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. N.E., 100 Embassy Row, Atlanta, GA 30328
Austin, TX 1204 Chestnut St., Bastrop, TX 78602
Dallas, TX 8080 Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75231
Houston, TX 4140 Southwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77027
San Antonio, TX 10000 IH-10 West, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78256
Virginia Beach, VA Two Columbus Center, 4500 Main St., Suite 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Financial Aid Services
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. The Art Institutes try to keep costs as low as possible. Applicants might earn scholarships to cover all or part of their tuition. Candidates must fill out the FAFSA each year to be eligible for aid. After that, they may qualify for federal grants or loans. Student Financial Services advisors can assist in the process.
Career Services
Those searching for jobs have a lot of options. With thousands of former students, The Art Institutes connect to a vast group of alumni. Many are professionals willing to help out new graduates. Also, the Career Services Department sets up events for networking and displaying student work. There are even chances to attend large industry gatherings throughout the country.
Veteran and Military Services
Find out why military and veteran students choose The Art Institutes for their education. As a military-inclusive college, we are committed to providing support for your education and career goals. Our degree programs are designed to prepare you for a variety of careers with programs in the visual, creative, applied, and culinary arts operating at several locations and offers distance education. You can earn a certificate, undergraduate, or even a graduate degree at some of our locations. At The Art Institutes, we value skills you have learned in the military, such as leadership, discipline and self-motivation.’
Reviews
Based on Google reviews provided, The Art Institutes (AI) was a for-profit school system characterized by systemic misconduct, high cost, and low educational value, resulting in its ultimate closure and mass loan forgiveness.
Overall Score: 2.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
Networking and Community: In select instances, students mentioned that the large body of fellow art students provided a useful environment for peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Quality Individual Instructors: A limited number of alumni praised specific instructors who were genuine industry professionals and provided high-quality, practical training.
Access to Equipment: For some students, the primary benefit was access to professional-grade computer labs and software that they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
Common Criticisms
Systemic Fraud and Misrepresentation: The U.S. Department of Education found the school’s parent company made “pervasive and substantial misrepresentations” by falsifying job placement rates (advertised as over 80%, but found to be no higher than 57%) and inflating graduate salary figures to mislead prospective students.
High Debt, Low Educational Value: Students accumulated large amounts of debt for an education that many described as “surface-level” and “not up to industry standards.”
Poor Job Placement and Career Services: Despite making high promises, many alumni reported difficulty finding jobs in their field, as the degree often lacked credibility with employers.
Non-Transferable Credits: The academic quality and accreditation status meant that credits were often not transferable to other, non-profit colleges.
Momentum
The momentum for The Art Institutes was a sustained negative trajectory that led to its definitive end and a historic government intervention. This negative momentum began with years of fraud allegations and lawsuits, leading to the collapse and sale of its parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC). The final remaining Art Institute campuses abruptly closed their doors in September 2023. The entire process culminated in May 2024 when the U.S. Department of Education approved a $6.1 billion automatic “Borrower Defense” student loan discharge for nearly 317,000 former students, confirming the school’s pervasive misconduct.