$20k all-in (assuming that is not just tuition?) is a pretty good deal at a top undergraduate art school, @DBY2017. Obviously, an evaluation as to affordability is very personal, but in our experience, a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, these max-awards seem to be few and far between at VCU. At least this was our experience and that of those with whom we have shared experiences. For what it’s worth, we generally found ourselves around the $25-30k range at top dedicated art schools, including at Pratt and at RISD. Tyler at Temple, RIT and U of Arts in Philly came in at the lower range. Pratt and MICA toward the top. A lot seems to depend on how focused you are early-on in pursuing particular schools. My understanding is that a hot and heavy approach toward MICA, for instance, can work wonders on FA.
For the Record VCUARTS undergraduate starting out of state tuition is of course significantly lower than other private top 10 design schools. And obviously any award is netted out of the final cost but it does have a lower starting point which is relevant when holistically comparing awards sizes. As I have stated many times , in the end our D was accepted to many top design schools (didn’t apply to RISD as she didn’t like it) and we found they were ultimately within 5-7k of each other for us. financial and merit awards are unique to each family situation, this was our experience. For us not a significant enough cost difference to be the deciding factor of where to attend. Rather we researched the programs and job placements along with where she felt she could excel the most. In our case, thankfully she chose correctly and we are very happy as she has had so many good things happen as a result (some will call this “shilling” but really just a proud and satisfied parent). D has sold works with faculty help, found work writing, just got a 4.0 GPA and has at least two summer internship offers in nyc. So yes, we are happy. Hopefully keeps up.
The schilling is, to some degree, very helpful as it shows it’s possible to attend VCUArts and emerge a successful art/design professional (at least in that major). That’s what this forum is all about - sharing information, the ups as well as the downs. Would hope that if VCU was turning south, @stones3 would be just as enthusiastic about sharing.
Glad for your D stones. Not to be rude but give it up please.
jbstillflying- thank you and I would be THE first to post if anything was to our disliking . ie Cooper Union dysfuntion.
@stones3 - that’s a pretty high (or is it low?) bar. 
You are welcome to post more minor dissatisfactions as well.
Both Tyler School of Art at Temple University and RIT come in close to COA of VCU. Tyler is actually a bit below VCU. RIT a bit above. In any case, do you know what the word “holistically” means? As has been repeatedly posted in response to this tripe, the lower base cost of VCU is irrelevant due to the historically low levels of financial/merit aid offered by the school. Yours seems to be the only case on record that differs from this. This being the case, elite schools such as RISD, MICA, Pratt, SCAD and others, which offer substantial need/merit aid, often come in at least as good if not better than VCU. Of course your daughter didn’t like RISD. That would totally screw up your fantasy narrative. Do you know what the word “shilling” means? The reason your posts go beyond “proud and satisfied parent” is because your attestations are posted in harsh discord with the OP’s questions or concerns. You also do not limit your posts to subjective appraisals of your child’s experience. You tout the school, and its programs, citing misleading statistics (grad ranks as if they are undergrad), disreputable and discredited rankings (Bloomberg), and making all kinds of unsubstantiated claims (the list is pretty endless here). Do you know how many times you have posted that your daughter had works purchased, won a writing competition, has a perfect GPA, and is swamped with internship offers? Go back and count and we will all see you in 2020. And, FWIW, seriously doubt this site will hear word one about any negatives at the chosen school. You trash Cooper, less to benefit readers, than to bash a school at which you feel your child got less than fair treatment. All of your Cooper posts were soundly (and roundly) rebuffed by people and students far more knowledgeable about the school than you who did not even know or understand the consent decree impacting the school’s finances until it was posted amidst some of your pap. Am sure this is at least part of the reason why gouf (and other less subtle posters) are so frustrated with you. No one on this site begrudges your satisfaction or your child’s happiness at your choice of school. This is truly great and all parents and students on this site empathize and share in your experiences. But give the unsolicited, disconnected promotion a rest.
JBStillflying - ok the food could be better 
I would like to offer all, the very best of wishes for the holiday season and to all a happy and successful new year.
To those who have had experience with MICA, I have a question. My daughter received a letter in the mail about two weeks ago commenting on her work that was reviewed at the NYC NPD…“I am pleased to inform you that your portfolio demonstrated the level of talent and ability we seek in students wishing to continue their studies at our college. If you have not already done so, we hope you will soon be submitting your application and portfolio for admission. Based on the quality of your portfolio we also wish to encourage you to apply for our competitive merit based scholarships.”
Does this go out to everyone that visited their table or are they interested? She hasn’t heard back yet from her ED and this letter made her smile. Their FA dept also contacted me (our FASFA was picked to be verified) around the same time as the letter arrived. Good sign? No sign? This waiting sucks @-)
Btw she did do EA for MICA
@NYCMomof3 - was she offered special EA dates for MICA that weren’t on their website or are they offering EA to everyone now? The year my D15 applied it was just ED and RD but they contact some with EA dates that are in between. It was nice because she got to apply early, non-binding, and received two rounds of scholarship money. We would have been happy with MICA given it’s rep. but she felt that Pratt was a better fit.
@JBStillFlying they are offering EA to everyone now.
Hey, @Carlisle55 and @lsichitiu, just wanted to check in and see how your kids are liking SAIC, now that first semester is almost over! Still my daughter’s top choice at this point (at least, if she decides to go the art school route!).
@KCHWriter , my daughter loves SAIC. It is the perfect fit for her. She works a lot but loves it. The teachers are very supportive. There are a couple that are not amazing, but she feels that the rest of them (professors) made it all worth it. Food is not good and the meal plan sucks, but the dorm rooms have a fridge and a stove so she can fix herself a meal.
FWIW the FA at VCU was laughable when compared to other schools (both art and university) where my DD was accepted. And as an OOS student it would have been the most expensive option of 10 (yes, she applied to 10 schools!) which was just ridiculous.
At the time, Temple/Tyler was offering automatic scholarships so her COA was significantly lower than even our instate options. That fact, combined with the highly competitive GAID program at the school, made it the best option for her.
Good luck to all those finding out soon! I recall Pratt told her just before the winter break which was a wonderful, early Christmas present!
NYCMomof3- I sincerely wish your D much success and hope she gets to go to the school of her dreams wherever that might be. Now , I will say that I hope MICA’s offer to apply is legit, but anything short of an actual acceptance should be looked at as nothing more than an opportunity to apply.
@stones3 thank you…given the fact that she was recently accepted ED to her dream school and program, I’ve actually forgotten about MICAs letter lol.
Interesting. @NYCMomof3. Which school is your dream school? My daughter is a junior in high school and will be applying next year. Right now she likes SVA. Great news!
@Ouetamay her dream school is RIT and she’s so happy to have been offered one of their few spots for 3d animation. Our visit this past August put this school from a possible contender to her favorite. Since it’s a tech school, their technology is spot on and current and their new MAGIC studio blew us away. Most importantly, she preferred not being at an all out art school but wanted a mix of students on campus. RIT is everything she was looking for. She does love SVA. She spent last summer taking their precollege 3D animation course and fell in love with the school and the staff. We are waiting to hear from them hopefully this week. If you’re daughter can take a precollege at SVA she should…it will really give her insight into how they do things. Their precollege put them on my daughter’s short list (she wasn’t sure about them beforehand).