What Is It Known For?
Dr. Henry Daniel Cogswell, one of San Francisco’s early entrepreneurs, established Cogswell Polytechnical College in 1887 as a pioneer in West Coast technical education. Programs evolved from engineering into digital audio, game design, and animation over the years.
The 2021 rebrand to University of Silicon Valley reflected alignment with future-shaping industries. Today, over 300 students learn through project-based methods and portfolio-first approaches. The school’s location also increases opportunity since over 6,600 companies including Google, Adobe, Meta, and Apple operate nearby. Another plus is that creative tech job growth here exceeds national averages.
Degrees & Certifications
Programs at the University of Silicon Valley award degrees, diplomas, certificates, and master’s degrees across different timeframes.
Your options include:
- Software Development
- Business Administration
- Game Design
- Digital Art & Animation
- Digital Audio Technology
Class Schedules
Learning at the University of Silicon Valley happens either on campus or entirely online, with hybrid options available too. Specific class times vary by program, so contacting the school will clarify scheduling details.
From your first day, team-based projects mirror actual studio workflows and production pipelines. That process creates the portfolio employers actually want to review. Clinical externships aren’t part of these programs since the focus stays on creative technology rather than healthcare.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The WASC Senior College and University Commission accredits University of Silicon Valley, and theCalifornia Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approves its operations. U.S. News & World Report also ranked USV among the Top 25 Regional Universities in the West in 2022, after evaluating academic quality, student outcomes, and teaching excellence.
Acceptance Rate
The University of Silicon Valley hasn’t made acceptance statistics public. Contact admissions for details about application processes and entry requirements.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Undergraduate students at the University of Silicon Valley pay $895 per credit for on-campus courses or $674 per credit for online classes. Graduate programs charge $499 per credit regardless of delivery format.
For complete tuition breakdowns and fee structures, visit the school’s tuition & fees webpage or use its net price calculator for personalized cost estimates.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Project Management
- Business Administration
Technology
- Game Programming
- Software Development
- Game Design
- Video Game Design
Campus Locations
San Jose 191 Baypointe Pkwy, San Jose, CA 95134
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, University of Silicon Valley (USV), formerly known as Cogswell, is characterized by a high-level educational experience driven by industry-experienced faculty who prioritize collaboration and innovation. However, this benefit is severely undermined by extremely high tuition costs that reviewers feel do not match the value, coupled with outdated or poorly maintained facilities, and recent controversial support for AI in the arts.
Overall Score: 3.4/5 Stars
Common Praises
Industry-Experienced Faculty: The most consistent praise is for the instructors, who have “heaps of industry experience” and provide the “knowledge needed to succeed” in creative technology fields.
Collaborative and Supportive Community: Recent students describe an “inclusive community” that prioritizes collaboration, adaptability, and innovative problem-solving.
Strong, Focused Programs: Specific programs, such as Game Writing and 3D Modeling, are noted for providing a proper lane for success, with the school being a “good fit” for the intended career path.
Common Criticisms
Disproportionate and Rising Tuition Costs: This is the most intense, long-standing criticism. Reviewers claim the cost is “high tuition,” the price of an Ivy League school, or a “big money grab,” with tuition and housing having been raised repeatedly. Some students successfully took the same classes with the same faculty at a nearby community college for thousands less.
Outdated/Poorly Maintained Facilities: Students specifically complain about “untreated ‘studios'” that are just rooms, and “old outdated studio monitors,” with “broken gear” and a soundboard that only works sometimes, contradicting the high cost.
Controversial Stance on AI in Arts: In a major recent controversy, students reported that the school and some professors “promote AI art like its their job” and “endorse AI,” leading students in an art school to feel their major is being devalued.
Lackluster Student Body and Administration: The student body is sometimes described as “unpleasant” or “lackluster,” with some students not paying attention to lectures. Furthermore, past academic advisors have been criticized for having “no idea what classes” students should take.
Momentum
The momentum at the University of Silicon Valley is mixed and volatile. On one hand, recent reviews praise a renewed focus on collaboration and innovative teaching methods, suggesting a positive shift in culture. On the other hand, the controversial embrace of AI in creative majors has created immediate and strong negative feedback from the core student base. This, combined with the long-standing issue of high cost versus poor facility maintenance, means the university is at a crossroads. Its future success depends on either lowering tuition to match its infrastructure or making immediate, massive investments in studios and equipment to justify its Silicon Valley price tag.